Career Services Office: Career Fair Connects Students with Employers
“We’re here to help students succeed,” noted Executive Director Mary Jones.
April 13, 2018—Career Services Executive Director Mary Jones is very clear about her office's purpose. "We're here to help students succeed," she said brightly.
Under Jones, Career Services staff work in two key areas: career coaching and employer relations. The office offers a variety of services, and Jones is a big believer in students coming in "early and often." She's gratified that more and more underclassmen are utilizing her staff's expertise.
The office's commitment to student success was evident at the Spring Career Fair. Hundreds of Marist students streamed into the McCann Center in interview attire and with resumes in hand. Fifty-seven employer representatives registered for the event, including more than 20 Marist alumni. In addition, a complimentary LinkedIn portrait photo booth was set up, staffed by a professional photographer. The Career Services team was in high gear: Jones was coaching nervous students right on the spot and helping them make their first moves toward employer tables.
All of the students seemed excited for the professional networking experience. Games and Emerging Media major Ashleigh Forbes '20had a photo taken for LinkedIn and was scouting out potential IT positions. Matthew Kretz '21 was energized after having spoken with several recruiters. "I'm looking for an internship," he explained.
Desmond Murray, Associate Director of Employer Experience, is proud of the long-term relationships Marist has with many employers. "With these connections, we've built a pipeline for our students and access to opportunity."
Employers at the fair echoed the sentiment. "I always enjoy attending Marist's Career Fairs," said Dannerys Fuccillo, Human Resources Generalist for 1-800-Flowers.com. "Marist students are among the most prepared I see. They come to this event ready for an interview."
Throughout the career development process, Career Services is available for support. Matt Onorato '18 gives the staff high marks. "Mary and the staff in Career Services helped me develop my resume, taught me how to market myself, and even prepared me by conducting mock interviews," Onorato explained. Through the office, he landed an internship at United Way during his junior year and then another with the advertising agency IPG, which led to a job offer.
In addition to organizing on-campus career fairs each semester, staff conduct interview prep days and take students on off-campus career treks. A recent trip saw a group visiting radio giant Entercom (CBS Radio) in New York City. The office also has a dedicated room for Skype interviews, allowing students to be in a professional setting when participating in video interviews.
"We are looking forward to helping students finalize their summer internship and full-time job search plans," said Jones. "We work as a team to help students succeed in the competitive global workplace."
About Marist
Located on the banks of the historic Hudson River and at its Florence, Italy campus, Marist College is a comprehensive, independent institution grounded in the liberal arts. Its mission is to “help students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.” Marist is consistently recognized for excellence by The Princeton Review (Colleges That Create Futures andThe Best 381 Colleges), U.S. News & World Report (9th Best Regional University/North), Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (“Best College Values”), and others. Marist educates approximately 5,000 traditional-age undergraduate students and 1,400 adult and graduate students in 47 undergraduate majors and 15 graduate programs, including fully online MBA, MPA, MS, and MA degrees.
