On-campus job opportunities abound for undergrads at first job fair

Jaliyah Scott joined a few hundred of her Campbell classmates looking for an on-campus job on Friday. A psychology major, Scott was looking for something to not only make a few bucks during the fall semester, but something that would look good on a resume and benefit her future career.

"I'd love something that allowed me to be more communicative," she said. "I want to be a therapist, so any job where I get to talk to people and be outgoing … that would be great."

Friday's On-Campus Student Job Fair, held in the Oscar N. Harris Student Union, was the first student-focused career event of the academic year and the first event under new Coordinator of Career Services Christie Stafford, who was promoted to the role this summer after working in admissions. The new position marked progress toward one of the objectives in President William M. Downs' Strategic Plan - to launch a centralized career services center that supports student success and professional development.

Stafford's first job fair included 16 departments from across Campbell's main campus, some of which are hiring student workers for the first time, she said. Athletics, Alumni Engagement, Student Life and Dining Services were among those represented, each offering institutional or Federal Work Study employment opportunities.

Representatives from Financial Services were on hand as well, helping departments and students check on eligibility. Stafford said Campbell's Human Resources department collaborated with her office to provide departments and students "step-by-step guides" to provide on-boarding support.

Dr. Vanessa Ayer Miller, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, represented Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences, which is hiring students for the first time (with pay) thanks to a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Student STEM enrichment grant designed to support career-oriented programs. She said she was excited for the opportunities the student workers will have in her program.

"We're looking for students who are interested in the careers that we're promoting - health sciences, specifically, as well as pharmaceutical and clinical sciences, which are not as well known in the career field, especially for undergrads," she said. "But that's not going to be an 'end-all,' because we're also looking for students who are timely and organized and especially a student who's creative. We spend a lot of time coming up with ideas, and this is an opportunity to come in, share your ideas, run through it and see if it's something we can develop and use in a classroom setting."

Shelby Howard and Taylor Murphy with the Office of Alumni Engagement said they were looking for students willing to work in event planning, social media and other communication-heavy roles. Their office was looking to hire two to three students for the fall semester and beyond.

Sophomore communications major Alan Weiss said he attended the fair Friday to find another job in food services (a position he held his freshman year).

"It's hands-on, it's fun, and I need a job," he said. "I worried at first about working and going to school, but I had more free time than I thought last year, and I enjoyed it."

Ariel Antongiorgi, a junior, said she also wasn't worried about juggling school and work.

"My classes are pretty far apart, and at least so far, there's not a lot of heavy work," she said. "I'm sure I can handle it."

Roughly 60 students attended the fair during its first hour, with more expected throughout the day. Stafford said she hopes events like Friday's establish a strong foundation at Campbell of connecting students with meaningful opportunities and experiences.

"Most importantly, I want students to see this -and future events - as more than just a job fair, but a place to have meaningful conversation with campus employers and begin building relationships that can strengthen the skills and connections needed for future internships and career opportunities," she said. "Strategically, this event is also about creating a culture of career readiness at Campbell. We want students to understand that career development doesn't just begin your junior or senior year, but builds throughout their Campbell experience and Career Services is here to help walk with them throughout their career preparation.

"Our motto is 'Our calling is to help you find yours,' and this event is just one way to start working within that mission."

Campbell Four-Year Career Journey

Career Services provided students with a pamphlet laying out a "Start Early, Stay Connected" gameplan for students to become more career-ready upon graduation.

First Year

• Meet with the Career Services team
• Explore interests, passions, majors and career options
• Create a first professional resumé
• Attend Career Services events (like job fairs)

Second Year

• Gain experience through internships or on-campus employment
• Update the resumé
• Attend career fairs and workshops
• Build a professional network through alumni connections

Third Year

• Pursue internships and career-related experiences through a major
• Practice interviewing
• Refine the resumé and develop a cover letter
• Begin to explore graduate school or career opportunities

Fourth Year

• Apply for jobs or graduate school programs
• Connect with employers at career fairs
• Utilize job search resources through Career Services

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