About 400 students in Kansas State’s College of Business Administration dressed in business professional attire to talk to 86 registered employers during the annual business career fair in the Student Union on Wednesday.
Tadd Hiatt, junior in marketing, attended the career fair for the first time and said he was a little nervous going to talk to employers.
“Since this is my first one, I was pretty nervous,” Hiatt said. “I actually just talked to one person and it went well, so I’m going to keep doing me and hope that works out.”
Hiatt said his preparation before the career fair paid off because it helped make his conversations easier.
“I went to career services and made sure my resume was looking sharp and eye-appealing,” Hiatt said. “I also researched some of the businesses that were going to be here.”
One of the employers that students had the opportunity to talk to was Travelers Insurance.
Connor Kidd, claims representative in auto insurance for Travelers Insurance, graduated from K-State with a degree in finance, and said he was excited to be on the other side of the table during the career fair.
“It’s fun,” Kidd said. “This is my first time doing it and it’s different to see the way Manhattan has changed. I come back for football games too, but it seems like something has popped up every time I come back.”
Kidd said his biggest advice for students looking for their first job is, “Do not be picky, especially in today’s market.”
Also with Travelers Insurance, and a K-State alumnus in marketing, sales executive Jason Goodman said it is fun to come back and visit with students.
“It’s interesting being on this side of the table, but it kind of takes you back to being in their shoes,” Goodman said. “It’s also fun to offer advice if they want it.”
Goodman said his biggest piece of advice is, “If you want to stand out, be proactive and try to initiate conversations with employers.”
Kevin Mokhtarian, associate director of the Career Center and chair of the business career fair, said he started planning for this career fair six months ago, but that it is a rewarding process.
“It’s great when the students you have worked with during the year and prepared to talk with employers come out with smiles and stories about, ‘Hey, I was able to provide my resume, I’ve got an interview scheduled,'” Mokhtarian said. “It’s very exciting.”
