As part of Saint Peter’s Ready, a program designed by the University and its Board of Regents to prepare students for an increasingly complex and ultra-competitive job market, a Career Fair Preparedness event was held on October 2 in The Duncan Family Sky Room. Under the leadership of Career Preparedness Initiative Committee Chair Warren Fristensky ’74, and in conjunction with Experiential Learning and Career Services, the event helped to make students “job ready/life ready” through interaction with the University’s regents through two information panels, resume review and one-on-one guidance for the upcoming Career Fair on October 24.
While this was the first event held for Saint Peter’s Ready, word has quickly spread about the program. “Professor of Business Administration Chanaz Gargouri, M.B.A., notified her students about this event in hopes of having us gain a better understanding about how business management skills are implemented in the real world,” said Billy Greci ’15, one of the 94 students in attendance. Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Marylou Yam, Ph.D., agreed with Professor Gargouri’s sentiments during her address to students at the event, stating “Events such as this enable our students to prepare for their future endeavors.”
Fristensky opened the program with a lecture on the tools graduates need in order to be successful in today’s job market. Such tools include the value of networking, remaining objective, being self-aware and being prepared for any potential situation that might arise in terms of obtaining or landing a job.
“Graduates today face a competitive global environment,” he said. “In the good old days, there was a gap between graduation and when an individual could expect to be offered a job. Now that gap has become a chasm. It’s increasingly difficult for graduates to find jobs.”
He added, “That is why [the Regents] are here to discuss and prepare you for the career you are about to launch. It’s a serious discussion.”
The program also featured career and employment panel discussions led by Board of Regent members Michael Milano ’74, ’91, Kevin P. Guckian ’85, James T. Leman ’68 and Joseph Traynor ’70. Regent George Gurdak, CPA ’75 served as moderator. During the panel discussion, the Regents answered questions, such how they chose their careers, how most jobs are found in today’s job market and what employers think of today’s students.
During the discussion, one theme came up repeatedly: the importance of being able to communicate – both verbally and in writing. “One of the most important things I learned today is the Regent’s emphasis on communication,” said Aimee Schnecker ’14. “They want to make sure students are prepared to express themselves.”
After the program, the Regents stood on hand to review resumes and speak one-on-one with students to offer career advice.
For more information on Saint Peter’s Ready, or if you are a current student seeking advice on career preparedness, job and internship opportunities, visit the Office of Experiential Learning and Career Services’ website at saintpeters.edu/internships-careers.