Last Friday, a small group of students attended the annual Career Fest in Naperville, hosted by the College Career Consortium of Illinois (CCCI). Monmouth College is one of 18 schools a part of CCCI and has been a member for twenty years. Marnie Steach, Executive Director of Career Readiness, Advising and Student Success, said: “This is a great opportunity for students from all the 18 schools in the consortium to attend a large career event with more than 100 employers.”
Industries ranging from Illinois State services to private accounting firms were represented at this year’s career fair. “It’s a good chance to be able to see a wider variety of companies in a condensed area together, rather than having to go to one and then the other separately,” said senior Hoth Schremser, who has attended the Naperville expo the last few years.
Expos take a layer of stress off students’ shoulders. They’re able to introduce themselves to potential employers outside an interview room. “They understand that students might be a bit nervous, but it is an opportunity to make connections and then follow leads for jobs and internships,” said Steach. Representatives are resources, people whom students can contact later for further information.
Marnie Steach speaking to Alum Emily Danger. Photo by Dawsyn Wilson.
While it may not be an interview, students should still prepare. Before the event, students should always research the employers attending. “Bringing resumes is very important, so bring more than you think you’ll need to make sure you have enough. Bring a pen with you; don’t depend on the people there to have one. It shows that you are prepared, think of specific details, and it leaves a better impression,” Schremser said. Prepared questions also show representatives a student’s attentiveness and eagerness to learn more.
Students at Monmouth don’t have to do it alone. The Wackerle Center offers support like resume reviews and mock interviews. Additional resources can be found on the Monmouth College website. “The Wackerle Center also coordinates a smaller on-campus Career Expo each fall. Additionally, we promote other local career fair programs like the QC Area Career Expo and the WIU Career and Internship Fair in Macomb,” said Steach.