The upper floors of Kyle Hall are packed. Well-dressed students, many with resumes in hand, walk up to exhibit tables and exchange cheerful greetings with exhibitors. They look over the materials on the table, possibly pick up a few giveaway items, then begin to talk more in depth.
Some students will be graduating soon and are deciding where they might find that first job on their career path or continue their education. Others ask, “Do you have internships available?”
The Career and Internship Fair provides a vital link for students to advance in their experience-based education. The fall event, held Sept. 24, featured nearly 90 exhibitors eager to work with Radford students and graduates. It also offered free professional headshot photos for participants.
Participating in an internship helps many students hone their skills while continuing their studies and provides valuable experience in preparing for their careers. Haley Gilley, a junior from Critz, Virginia, who’s majoring in marketing and advertising, said her internship with Chartwells is “an amazing experience.” She particularly enjoys her work on the “Love, Chartwells” events and promotions.
Through her internship, Gilley said, “I have strengthened my graphic design and in-person marketing skills, but I have also learned how important it is to be flexible. Marketing does not always go exactly according to plan, so being able to adapt, communicate and find a solution has been a major part of my experience. I plan to pursue my master’s degree after college, and this internship is helping me develop the professional experience, communication skills and confidence that I will carry with me into graduate school and my future career.”
MBA student Jerrod Traynham interned with Virginia Farm Bureau during the summer and created social media content. "Going into the internship, I had an interest in becoming an insurance agent for Farm Bureau,” he said. “The experience only confirmed my interest in the position with my career goals. Throughout my time, I was able to enhance skills that helped me grow as a professional and as a person, such as communication, public speaking, time management and teamwork.”
Radford University hosts the Career and Internship Fair in both the fall and spring semesters. Some exhibitors are businesses many students might not be aware of otherwise. Other employers have a strong presence among interns and graduates. One of the latter is Carilion Clinic, which has hired more Radford graduates than any other employer in the past two years and is the single most common place of employment for Radford alumni.
“Radford University is a strategic partner for regional employers in its ability to produce top talent,” says Cynthia Lawrence, co-director of Workforce Development at Carilion Clinic and president of the Blue Ridge Partnership for Health Science Careers. “The job fair is an important opportunity to us to share career pathways information with our future employees.”
Experiential learning is a key focus at Radford University to help students develop professional competencies and give them an advantage in seeking work upon graduation. More than 80% of recent graduates have participated in at least one high-impact experiential learning activity, such as an internship, student employment or work study.
"A job fair is the most effective and efficient way to interact with dozens of employers attending the event to talk to students," commented Stuart Mease, interim director of the Center for Career and Talent Development. "Every student from every major and every academic year should attend and explore the many opportunities available."