The Ho‘okele Department will host virtual info sessions with employers and graduate schools from around the world, starting on Thursday, Nov. 5, and continuing on Nov. 12 and 19 as part of its November theme, designated as the Month of Education and Career Exploration.
The team in charge of organizing this event said there is something for every student, whether they are trying to navigate entering a workforce altered by COVID-19 or practice approaching employers and start networking.
Ho‘okele Training and Development Lead J Smith, a senior from Virginia majoring in business management and intercultural peacebuilding, explained this career fair will give students more personalized opportunities to interact with employers during info sessions held on Zoom. “You could potentially ask questions, network, get contact information and [learn] all about the different companies. … You get to listen to all of that firsthand. And you really are able to have a nice connection with the employer.”
Keni Kalama, Career Services manager in the Ho‘okele Department, said this event will replace the face-to-face career fair typically held in October. Although they would rather give students the chance to meet with employers in person, he said, one of the advantages of meeting virtually is it has “allowed us to invite organizations outside of Hawaii and the U.S. that wouldn’t typically have the opportunity to join us.”
Diandra Mongan, a senior from Indonesia majoring in communications, is the communications specialist for the Ho’okele Department. She emphasized they have been working tirelessly to help students have a positive experience. “We want to show students how much we support them. You’re not just here to study, but we also want to help you prepare for your future.”
The career fair, she continued, will allow students to practice real-life interviews and networking in a low-pressure environment. It will also give students the chance to experience the hiring process changes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smith further explained how, even after the pandemic ends, much of the hiring process will likely stay online. “Online interviews are going to be a lot more common. Online networking is going to be a lot more common. This is even after the pandemic is completely over, and there are no coronavirus possibilities out there. [Online meetings] are going to be way more part of the hiring process now.”
Networking is also a major part of the hiring process, according to Smith, and students will be able to connect directly with employers during the info sessions by asking meaningful questions or asking for contact information.
“The best resume is typically going to be outdone by having somebody else having a personal connection,” Smith said.
Students can prepare for the Month of Education and Career Exploration by revising their resumes and practicing interviews. “If the students have any questions,” Smith shared, “we're doing all of our meetings virtually. We're still helping out students with their resumes and with interviewing and all of that stuff. … It doesn't matter what time zone you're in, or which country you're in, or whether or not you're available in that aspect. We can definitely still help out and help everyone prepare.”
To see the event schedule and employers participating, visit https://career.byuh.edu/a-month-of-education-and-career-exploration.
To participate in the event, students will need to visit https://byuh.joinhandshake.com/events. After registering for a session, students will receive a link to the session through Handshake.