Students look to future with Careers Fair

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) students will get the chance to come face-to-face with prospective employers at the University's annual Careers Fair on Friday March 23 2007.

The Careers Fair is a USQ initiative designed to allow students to gain knowledge about companies, graduate opportunities and application processes.

In what will be USQ's largest Careers Fair to date, nearly 70 employers will be hoping to attract future graduates.

'We have 66 organisations including Holden, BHP and ANZ coming for the Fair from across the country, as well as support from local companies such as McConachie Stedman Accountants and St Andrews Hospital,' USQ Graduate Transition Consultant Katrina Vagg said.

'There will be opportunities for students from across all disciplines to talk to employers and also hand over resumes.'

With companies currently looking to employ graduates, Mrs Vagg said it was the ideal chance for students to get a foot in the door.

'Organisations recruit for graduate jobs in March and April so this is the time when students should be looking at employment,' she said.

One student who is keen to meet with potential employers is second year International Studies student, Christie Gardiner.

'I'll be targeting the Department of Justice and Attorney General. They have good student programs as well as graduate programs,' Miss Gardiner said.

'I'm interested in working in Government Departments in terms of the support they provide to graduates, but I'll definitely be having a look at other employers as well.'

Miss Gardiner encouraged other students to attend the fair to see what was on offer even if they are not graduating at the end of the year.

'A lot of students leave it until the end of the year but it helps knowing how the organisations work as well,' she said.

'I'd really like to be in a graduate program because I want to be prepared when I leave. I don't want to be sitting around waiting for them to come to me, I want to get out there and approach people first.'

The Career Fair runs from 11am to 3pm in the USQ Refectory.

Media Contact:  Jane Urquhart, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559