Catapult Your Career

Students discuss opportunities at last year’s Career Expo. Photo by Cydney Scott

“What will you be doing after graduation?”

It’s a question that haunts many seniors. For those yet to land a job after graduation and for underclassmen hoping for a great summer internship, BU is here to help. Career offices from across campus are co-sponsoring a job fair, followed by a series of workshops specifically for seniors, today at the Center for Student Services, 100 Bay State Rd. The event, titled Catapult Your Career, is drawing nearly 50 recruiters to campus.

“This value-packed day offers can’t-get-any-easier access to available jobs and an opportunity to have important face-to-face conversations to make a great impression,” says Kimberly DelGizzo, CCD director. “Connecting in person with organizations can be invaluable. Meeting employers often makes the difference in a job search. Confidently introducing yourself and demonstrating how you’re a fit for what they’re seeking can tip the scales in your favor as employers look for strong candidates.”

The event kicks off with a Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All of the organizations attending have open positions, most for full-time entry-level jobs. There are opportunities for internships as well. Representatives from a wide range of industries, including biotechnology, hospitality, nonprofit, consulting, software, communications, engineering, and health care, will be on hand to meet with students. Among them are Coca-Cola; the Langham Hotel Boston, part of an international luxury hotel chain; Streetwise Media/BostInnovation, an online publishing platform; and the U.S. Department of State. Some of the recruiters new to BU are the International Human Rights Initiative; women’s retailer J.Jill; software company Zero Turnaround; Alere Wellogic, a health care information group; technology start-up Jana; and Severino Pasta Company. Find a complete list of organizations here.

Before coming to the Career Fair, students are advised to polish their résumé, research the organizations they’re interested in, and prepare talking points to discuss with recruiters. And don’t forget to dress for success. Professional attire is required. Men are urged to wear a suit or business casual (khakis and a button-down shirt and tie) and women a blouse and slacks or a pencil skirt.

For the first time, the Center for Career Development has organized a series of workshops tailored for graduating seniors (all students are welcome), being held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the center. The workshops are staggered so students can attend more than one. They are: Coming to Terms with Student Loan Repayment, at 3 p.m.; Understanding Your Paycheck: Keeping Up with the Cash, at 4 p.m.; Your First 90 Days on the Job, from 3 to 4 p.m. and again from 4 to 5 p.m.; and Negotiating Your Job Offer, from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. and from 4:15 to 5 p.m. As an added bonus, some employers at the Career Fair will be interviewing prepared candidates from 3 to 5 p.m.

“These workshops give graduating seniors some important tools they need to succeed as they transition from BU to the world of work,” says DelGizzo. “The topics we are featuring may not have come up previously during students’ undergraduate experience, but by attending these sessions we can help students feel more confident as they enter their next chapter.”

Don’t forget to register beforehand for the fair and workshops on the CareerLink. Who knows–you may just land the job of your dreams.

Catapult Your Career is today, Wednesday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center for Student Services, 100 Bay State Rd., Room 613. The Career Fair is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by workshops and interviews from 3 to 5 p.m. Log onto the CareerLink to register and learn more. See a full list of participating organizations and their available positions here. Check out upcoming CCD events here.

Erin Thibeau can be reached at ethibeau@bu.edu; follow her on Twitter at @erinthibeau.