Employers seek USQ graduates at Careers Fair

Employers from more than 60 local, national and international industries and organisations will converge on Toowoomba next week to promote their graduate programs to University students.

The USQ 2010 Careers Fair, to be held at the University’s Toowoomba campus on Thursday, March 25, will allow University students to network with employers, research companies, investigate available jobs, collect application information and learn how to improve their chances of gaining graduate employment.

Many organisations will also offer vacation positions, scholarships and cadetships, therefore providing opportunities for students at all stages of their career program.

USQ Careers and Employment Manager Tanya Morgan said the University was competitive in the graduate employment market.

'I see the Career Fair as an excellent opportunity for students to meet face-to-face with local, national and international company representatives,' Ms Morgan said.

'Students can build on their networking skills by actively engaging with employers. They can also showcase their discipline knowledge and demonstrate their graduate qualities and skills, thereby enhancing their opportunities for graduate employment.

'In the past, USQ students have generally made a favourable impression on graduate employers. For example, a representative from a large national organisation indicated a preference for USQ graduates because of their strong work ethic and work readiness.'

Students from USQ Springfield and USQ Fraser Coast also have the opportunity to attend the fair in Toowoomba, with a free bus service operating between the campuses during the event.

For those unable to attend the on-campus fair, including the University’s many national and international distance education students, the e-Careers Fair will be launched online on March 25 and will run for a month.

USQ Graduate Transition Consultant Nicole Burke said the e-Careers Fair, now in its third year, enabled organisations to reach the University’s close to 20,000 distance education students instantly.

'The e-Careers Fair provides organisations with an online 3D booth in a virtual environment,' Ms Burke said.

'Students create avatars and walk through the auditorium full of employer booths and interact in real time with their fellow students.'

Ms Burke said students can prepare for the event by updating their resumes and researching any companies they might consider approaching during the fair.

The on-campus event will be at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre in Toowoomba, from 10.30am until 2.30pm. For more information, visit: www.usq.edu.au/careerfair