A variety of agencies displayed their businesses and presented University of Wisconsin students with possible internships and jobs at the second-annual Multicultural Career Fair.
This year, 40 local, regional and international businesses provided university students with information about diverse job opportunities. Some of the representatives targeted specific majors, such as business or technology, while others were open to students’ interests, experiences and education, regardless of their major.
The attending businesses varied from the Madison Police Department, Walgreens and Alliant Energy to the Peace Corps, U.S. Geological Survey and Microsoft Corporation.
Students were encouraged to make connections with businesses and create networking options for their future while learning about different agencies’ industries, careers and organizations.
The Career Services suggested preparation students prepare for the fair by creating a resume as well as questions for potential employers.
While the fair was aimed at minority students, organizers said others were welcome to attend as well.
“Although this is a Multicultural Career Fair targeted for diverse backgrounds, students of the majority will not be turned away,” said Mo O’Connor, an outreach advisor and the liaison for the Multicultural Career Fair.
Besides the 40 businesses, 10 student organizations participated for the first time in this annual event to promote their organizations and to inform businesses of possibilities for student involvement while in college.
“Employers can learn about the students and what they do on campus,” said O’Connor of attending student organizations such as Greater University Tutorial Service, Multicultural Student Coalition and Hip-Hop Generation.
UW sophomore Rob Sarwark from the student organization WSUM radio said that student organizations can help prepare people for later jobs as well as provide them with valuable connections and opportunities in a variety of fields. He said that by working at the station, he and other students have had the experience of working as a team.
“Students assume it is all about DJs,” Sarwark said. “The radio station is for all kinds of fields, and it’s all about the experience that [employers] look for.”
O’Connor said the Multicultural Career Fair will continue in future years and become more successful with time.
“More businesses came this year to bring in diverse employment options to students,” O’Connor said. “They know how wonderful the students are at the University of Wisconsin.”
An advisory board of 30 students, faculty and staff worked on the fair since October, spending countless hours preparing and promoting to make the fair a success.
“The event is growing, because more [businesses] are learning about it,” said O’Connor.
Students also appreciated the chance to introduce themselves to companies and familiarize themselves with the vast and numerous options.
“It’s a wonderful idea to have a career fair, especially a multicultural career fair,” said Nonso Njokanma, a UW senior majoring in biochemistry. “And the best part of the fair is the freebees, like the pens.”
