If you have ever had any doubts about the employment opportunities out there for Algonquin graduates, this year’s Career Networking Fair may help ease your mind.
The fair, which took place on Feb. 9 at the college, saw the largest number of participating employers, 72, and the highest number of job seekers, 2100, in the event’s history.
There were employers recruiting for full-time, summer and co-op positions.
“They were from a variety of industry and were targeting a wide range of program areas,” said coordinator of the event and employment outreach officer, Carol Ann Mahoney.
Feedback from many of the participating employers was very positive. “They were happy with the number of students and graduates they met as well as how prepared many of them were,” said Mahoney.
In fact, so many employers were interested in participating in the job fair that 72 spots were not enough.
The college sent out invitations to various employers back in December and the list was almost full by the beginning of January. By the end, the employment centre had 11 companies wanting to participate on the waiting list and were only able to accommodate three of those.
Mahoney believes the popularity of Algonquin’s job fairs among employers stems from the quality of the college’s programs and its graduates.
“Employers are very aware of our programs, program content and the hands-on training that students receive,” she said. “Many employers have already hired Algonquin students and graduates and have been impressed with their skills set, so they continue to hire (students) from Algonquin College.”
This is only one of the many events of this nature happening at the college every year. In October, Algonquin hosted Campus Connections, which is a part-time and volunteer job fair co-organized by the Employment Support Centre and the Volunteer Centre.
There is also the Health Care Job Fair that was held in November. “This is specific to all of our health care related programs,” said Mahoney. “This year we had seven local hospitals, various health care agencies and retirement homes participate.”
The Employment Centre also coordinates with individual companies that come to campus to discuss their recruitment campaigns with students in specific program areas.