This year's Career and Internship Expo marks the 15th time The University of Memphis has held the fair. But this will be the first year that internships will play a major role, said Clay Woemmel, assistant director of career and employment Services.
"It used to be job-oriented only," Woemmel said. "Now it's oriented to both jobs and internships."
He said that in the past they only invited employers who had full-time jobs available, but because of The University's new initiative to focus more on internships, they are inviting other kinds of employers.
Internship Coordinator Sarabeth Beekman said that 50 percent of the companies at the fair will be looking for interns.
Beekman's position was created last January as part of The University's initiative, and it was the first time The U of M has had one focal person dealing with students and internships.
Career and Employment Services is targeting everyone with the fair, Woemmel said.
It is important for freshmen through graduate students to attend because it gives everyone a chance to do something vital to employment network, he said.
"Students need to be looking for internships during their sophomore year, so they can get internships when they're juniors," Woemmel said.
Seniors need to be looking for jobs so they can have one waiting for them when they graduate, but everyone can benefit by meeting employers, Woemmel said.
"The fair is for students to network," Beekman said.
Groups ranging from non-profit organizations to government agencies will be there, she said.
Sophomore broadcasting major Chris Brown will be participating at the Army's booth.
They are using the booth to see how many people will come and show interest, he said.
He said he thinks most students are curious to know what is out there.
"Some already know, but want to make sure," Brown said of students looking for a career path.
The Army booth will have an informational video and people present to explain anything a student may want to know to help them figure out where they want to be.
There will be more booths than there have been in the past.
There were 67 companies that attended last year and there are 93 companies registered for this year, Woemmel said.
A list of all the companies is on the Career and Employment Services web site.
The web site is a great resource for students interested in attending the fair, Woemell said.
It is important to come prepared, which means looking professional and having your resume neat and ready to be shown, Beekman said.
Employers have complained in the past that some students were not able to communicate in a businesslike fashion, Woemmel said.
A skill, he said, that is very important when networking.
