Ready, set, go! Unique event links students with industry reps
Speed Networking brings CALS students face-to-face with prospective employers.
Photo by Daniel Kim
Danielle Johnson sat down across a table from a stranger, nervous. She struck up a conversation, asked questions, listened intently and swapped contact information with the person she had become acquainted with in four short minutes. Then, with the ring of a bell, she excused herself and moved to the seat on her right, introducing herself to another prospect.
No, Danielle wasn't trying out a dating fad. She was participating in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' first Speed Networking event, held in March at the Talley Student Center.
Danielle, a senior animal science major at the time, talked to half a dozen industry representatives in 24 quick minutes, making valuable connections and learning a thing or two about interviewing.
"It was a great experience," she said. "People were enthusiastic, receptive and gave good advice."
The event was sponsored by the College's Career Services office, the CALS Alumni and Friends Society and the student REACH Team (Recognizing Educational Aspirations and Career Horizons), a new organization that promotes Career Services programs, workshops, special events and services to students.
"So much is done online now, and we wanted to give the students a chance to meet people in person and develop relationships," said Marcy Bullock, director of the College's Career Services office. "Sixty percent of the employers represented here are CALS alumni."
The room in Talley Student Center was set with four long tables, representing four industries: pre-health, pre-vet, research and development, and sales and marketing. At each table were six industry representatives and six students. At the end of each four-minute interval, the students exited one interview and started another. Altogether, 48 students participated in two shifts.
"The event was followed by an informal picnic where professionals and students could reconnect if they had a mutual interest," Bullock said. "That allowed for exchange of business cards and further follow-up potential."
Danielle, like many of her fellow students, made the most of every minute.
"I really believe that these companies who come to campus will remember our faces," she says. "It's so much more effective than just sending a resume on the Web. I would definitely tell other students to come to this event next year."
-Suzanne Stanard
No, Danielle wasn't trying out a dating fad. She was participating in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' first Speed Networking event, held in March at the Talley Student Center.
Danielle, a senior animal science major at the time, talked to half a dozen industry representatives in 24 quick minutes, making valuable connections and learning a thing or two about interviewing.
"It was a great experience," she said. "People were enthusiastic, receptive and gave good advice."
The event was sponsored by the College's Career Services office, the CALS Alumni and Friends Society and the student REACH Team (Recognizing Educational Aspirations and Career Horizons), a new organization that promotes Career Services programs, workshops, special events and services to students.
"So much is done online now, and we wanted to give the students a chance to meet people in person and develop relationships," said Marcy Bullock, director of the College's Career Services office. "Sixty percent of the employers represented here are CALS alumni."
The room in Talley Student Center was set with four long tables, representing four industries: pre-health, pre-vet, research and development, and sales and marketing. At each table were six industry representatives and six students. At the end of each four-minute interval, the students exited one interview and started another. Altogether, 48 students participated in two shifts.
"The event was followed by an informal picnic where professionals and students could reconnect if they had a mutual interest," Bullock said. "That allowed for exchange of business cards and further follow-up potential."
Danielle, like many of her fellow students, made the most of every minute.
"I really believe that these companies who come to campus will remember our faces," she says. "It's so much more effective than just sending a resume on the Web. I would definitely tell other students to come to this event next year."
-Suzanne Stanard