Senior Tephane Rainey will be dressed professionally with her résumé in hand, hoping companies around the nation will cater to her job search in the hospitality and resort management field.
"I am looking for an internship for this summer," Rainey said. "The mega career fair in the University Center didn't help me find opportunities within my major, so I'm hoping this fair will."
The Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management will host the first Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism Management career fair today in the hotel's center ballroom from 9 a.m. to noon.
Interviews are scheduled from 1-5 p.m.
Students from every major and discipline are welcome to come to the fair, event officials said.
"Undergraduate or graduate students looking for part or full-time jobs or internships are welcome to attend because many companies and industries participating are looking for students in all majors," said Lee Anne Brigman, administrative secretary for the Kemmons Wilson School. "All kinds of areas people don't think of are included such as biomedical, architecture, communications, construction, engineering, healthcare, information technology and legal."
Other program officials said the event should be a convenient time for students to network and find various job opportunities.
"The career fair is going to be a major recruitment tool for students," said Robert O'Halloran, director of Kemmons Wilson School. "It prepares them for what is really coming (after graduation) and allows them to easily move into a management position."
Students in the hospitality and resort management field can receive great benefits for attending since 1,000 hours of work experience is mandatory for graduation.
"There are around 200 hospitality programs across the country and generally at least 600 hours of work is required," O'Halloran said. "It makes all the difference when job hunting."
For the many senior hospitality majors on the brink of graduation, the arrival of the career fair is not too late.
"Even though I am a senior and this is the first career fair for the program I have received plenty of contacts just from various presenters from community organizations," Patrick Certion said. "Although I'm still networking to establish a permanent position with a company there."
School officials also said they want students who are still undecided or looking to change majors, to explore the hospitality and resort management program as a possible career.
"All students are more than welcome to come and explore the possibility, especially those who have yet to declare a major," O'Halloran said.
O'Halloran also asked that students come professionally dressed and with a résumé.
"If students decide to come over, be prepared to put your best foot forward."
