Career Fair — backwards?

by Shannon Yokley, posted Sept. 29, 2011

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Services will host a Reverse Career Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 4, in Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union. The Reverse Career Fair is held the evening before the annual CAFNR Career Fair.

“The reverse career fair is the opposite of the normal career fair,” said Kara Ebe, CAFNR Academic and Career Adviser. “It’s when the students take the recruiter’s role.”

During the Reverse Career Fair students take charge by networking with the professionals to build future connections.

“Instead of the employers, students associated with various CAFNR organizations man the booths,” Ebe said. “It allows members of the club to make connections with the employer before the career fair.”

Two sessions are provided at the Reverse Career Fair. The fair begins at 5:30 p.m. with the employer panel. This allows students to ask employers questions about expectations at the career fair. Following the employer panel, the reverse fair and reception will start at 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for the students to advocate for their clubs to potential employers.

Many agricultural companies are planning on attending, such as ADM, FCS Financial, Hormel and Syngenta. There are nine companies that have officially confirmed they will be attending.

“According to last year’s attendance and the various clubs who have signed up, about 100 students are expected to come to the employer panel,” Ebe said.

More than 20 CAFNR clubs are invited to the Reverse Career Fair events.

“The clubs that have shown interest are Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Biochemistry Club, CAFNR Ambassadors and the Agricultural Economics Club,” Ebe said.

One organization that will be in attendance is the Agricultural Economics Club.

“My wish is to increase and better our relationships with industry leaders,” said Tyler LePage, junior agribusiness management major and Agricultural Economics Club president. “We are interested in attending the Reverse Career Fair because we will have the opportunity to network with business leaders and advertise to the business representatives that the Ag Econ Club is a great place to visit and an excellent place to find possible future employees. Also, the fair will allow for the club to express ways for individual companies to better their relationships with the club.”

Throughout the semeser, students will be able to attend other CAFNR Career Service events, such as resume reviewing, mock interviews and etiquette dinners.

 “I always encourage any level of student to participate in our programs,” Ebe said. “Any freshmen through seniors are welcome since this is a unique event that allows any student to take ownership and present themselves to owners in a unique way.”

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