By: Michael L. Jackson
The Kelley Indianapolis Career Services (KICS) office will cap a busy February on Wednesday when it holds its final workshop of the month. The Kelley Internship Workshop will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the BS2010 multipurpose room.
Wednesday’s workshop will focus on how to apply for and gain a spot in a competitive internship program, as well as how to earn academic credit for an internship. Lunch will be served. There is no need to register or RSVP for the event.
KICS kicked off the lively month with a series of workshops designed to get students ready for the February 10 Kelley Career Fair. KICS staff held classes on how to use the Kelley Careers website, how to utilize the Career Fair and make yourself stand out with employers, as well as workshops that offered tips on effective résumé writing and interviewing.
This year’s Career Fair was one of the most successful in the seven-year history of the event. More than 400 students registered for the event and were able to make connections with 75 employers in attendance.
“The Kelley Career Fair has long been spring’s premier event for KSBI students and alumni seeking internships and full-time opportunities,” said KICS director Josh Killey. “Overall reviews have been extremely positive. Students are already securing interviews based on the contacts made at the event, and even some reports of internship/full-time offers have been trickling in to Kelley Indianapolis Career Services.”
New to the Career Fair was the addition of the résumé book, where students could upload their résumés for employers to view prior to the event.
“That was an incredibly useful tool,” said Jeff Hicks, district sales manager for Fastenal. “I was able to email about 40 students who I was interested in talking to and about a quarter of them showed up.”
One of Hicks’ biggest tips for students attending the Career Fair is to approach the experience with an open mind and stop to listen to employers from companies where you may have never considered working. That’s just what senior marketing and supply chain major Allen Kale did.
“There were quite a few companies that I ordinarily would have blown right past and not thought about too much,” said Kale, who was attending his first Career Fair. “I didn’t think marketing would apply at some of these companies where finance is their main course of business. But I had some encouraging conversations with some of those employers.”
Peyton Zehner, a senior majoring in marketing, supply chain management and international studies, was also attending her first Career Fair and took a unique approach, writing cover letters for companies where she was interested in working.
“A friend actually told me to do that,” said Zehner, who spoke with a dozen different companies. “He told me that was one way to stand out, and Frito-Lay said I was the only person to bring one. They also said I had one of the best résumés they had seen all day, so I’m super-excited about that.”
While most companies at the Career Fair are based in Indiana, Zehner had a few conversations about working at locations outside of the state.
“I’m fine with relocating,” she said. “I’m open for anything; wherever I fit best and wherever the opportunity for growth is the best.”
The next #KelleyHired event will be held on March 25. And you can always report your full-time job or internship offer in person in BS2010 or via the Career Services website. If you have questions about Wednesday’s Internship Workshop you can email Colleen Rusnak or Carly Greenes.
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