CCPD recruiting week draws small crowds
By Jennifer Wendel Op-Ed Editor
Last week, the Center for Career and Professional Development(CCPD) hosted 24 representatives from both graduate schools and job recruiters in the Dewing foyer for an annual recruiting fair.
Sally Sun ’15, a career associate at the CCPD, found the fair helpful.
“I just talked to the director of the [WMU] biomedical program,” she said. “This program is really special because you can just apply through this gateway, and then you can decide what PhD program you want after a year.”
Other students found the fair to be science and business heavy.
“I think there should be more diversity of other careers,” said Evelyn Rosero ‘13.
CCPD director Joan Hawxhurst said the center tries to meet students’ needs, but sometimes other factors get in the way.
“Some people decide that a place like K is too small to recruit; it’s hard to justify the staff time to have a recruiter here,” she said.
For the spring, the CCPD is looking at alternative methods to reach more recruiters.
“Using technology more is going to be part of the new strategy. We’re looking at doing a virtual fair in the spring that is focused on social justice,” said Hawxhurst.
Though some students are looking for a greater variety options, it’s not just the number of recruiters that needs to increase.
“Attendance hasn’t been high,” said Bianca Rasho’13, a career associate. “I believe the CCPD promoted enough for [the fair], but it came down to the students. The students need to show up,” she said.
According to Hawxhurst, attendance is down in fairs like this all over the country, with an increased reliance on technology. The CCPD staff expects a better turn out in the spring.
“K students are busy so they put a low priority on things they don’t have worry about for today or tomorrow,” said Rasho. “These are pretty important events.”
If the students put in the effort, the CCPD can provide for them, says Hawxhurst.
“We’ve got the resources and structure in place, and I think every year, we have more students getting started in a timely manner and more students recognizing the value of the services that we offer,” she added.
