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February 27, 2007

Nice Day for a Fair

Several employers will have representatives at the Employer Showcase

Story by: Cassie Smith

The Shorthorn Staff

The Shorthorn: File art

A.C. Nielsen employee Michelle Benke discusses her business with students at the 2005 Employer Showcase in the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom. Tables were set up for more than 80 companies at the event.

The Employer Showcase will feature 115 company recruiters at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom.

The employers will speak with students of all majors and classifications, accepting résumés for job placement. Part-time and full-time employment and internships will be available.

Bell Helicopter, American Airlines, Farmers Insurance Group, JPMorgan Chase, Software Architects, the Peace Corps and Lockheed Martin are some of the companies that will be represented.

The university has hosted the biannual job fair for more than 15 years, attracting an assortment of employers, career development specialist Debbie Villagomez said.

“There are a wide variety of different industry types that registered to talk to students,” Villagomez said. “We usually get an average of 1,800 to 2,000 students attending the job fair. It’s a pretty big event.”

Throughout March, on-campus interviews from more than 50 companies will also be offered, she said. Many students obtain jobs that way.

“I think it’s a huge advantage for all the students,” she said. “We always have students come to our office later to let us know of the jobs they received and how much they like it there.”

Kevin Helgert, U.S. Secret Service special agent, hopes that while most students know little about the Secret Service, which will have representatives at the fair, the event will open their eyes to the idea of working for the government department.

The Shorthorn: File art

UTA alumnus Dustin Morgan breaks down his display during the final minutes of last spring’s Employer Showcase in the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom. Morgan got his job at Plastipak Packaging at a similar job fair and said being on the other side of the table was strange at first, but he eventually got used to it.

“We’re actively recruiting for uniform and special agent positions,” Helgert said. “There are varying requirements for each one. This is our first time at UTA. We are looking around to fill some positions, so we just looked at all the colleges in the general area.”

AmeriCredit, which offers alternative auto-financing options, will be one of the businesses at the fair. Jeff Hoffman, the company’s public relations and communications vice president, called the university’s job fair beneficial for students and the company.

“Finding potential team members is great for our different locations,” he said. “Generally speaking, we’re looking for business majors. However, we have many positions available at our headquarters and various branches that would fit different majors.”

GRW, an engineering and architecture firm, will make its debut here at the job fair and its representatives are eager to pick up students, vice president Jim Maguire said.

“Like most any engineering firm, we’re always looking for a few good people, just like the Marines,” he said.

The company hires all full-time positions and will be looking for students for internship opportunities also.

Professional dress is required, and students should bring several extra copies of their résumés.

UTA Career Services will offer help on how to prepare for the fair. Students can contact the office to set up an appointment.

“A lot of the recruiters for companies that have registered are UTA alumni, so they love and prefer to hire students from their own university,” Villagomez said.