Students ask questions of representatives of the Calgary Fire Department at the MHC Career Expo on Wednesday.--News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Wednesday saw nearly 60 employers offering Medicine Hat College students a chance to get a head start on their working lives at the annual Career Expo.
Having organized the expo for 19 years, student career services assistant Shelly Drefs says the event is invaluable both to students and to employers, giving insight into what may be in store in the ever-changing labour market.
“Employers that participate tell us it’s through this event that they secure many of their future hires and volunteers, and they are always impressed with the quality of conversations throughout the day,” said Drefs. “In a world filled with communication through technology and gatekeepers, this is an opportunity to physically meet someone, ask questions and create an ‘in’ for future postings.”
The expo has grown exponentially over the years, having started with fewer than 20 employers present. Now, the space allocated for the event is consistently full, to the point they are considering how they might be able to expand, said career adviser Nikki Kay.
It’s a good problem to have, said Kay, but seeing as some employers could only make it in due to last-minute withdrawals, they may need to look into ways to offer more tables moving forward.
The Career Expo is more focused on allowing employers and prospective employees to have meaningful conversations and highlight the different industry options for MHC students, in contrast to the spring community job fair, which is catered largely toward local employers filling seasonal jobs.
Kay noted a strong health-care and policing presence at the expo, a result of the college’s strong health service and criminal justice programs.
“I think with the way the job market is evolving right now, it’s really important to physically come in here and have these conversations for both the employer and the employee,” said Kay. “It’s so important to be able to shake the hand, and kind of push back against the disconnect that can come with applying online.”
While students are asked to come and present themselves professionally, it also offers a more informal opportunity to ask questions and get a better sense of what a company or industry may have to offer before pursuing a career there.
“Everybody’s having a good time,” said Kay. “There’s lots of swag and merchandise available and I think it’s just more of a conversational, more low key vibe that you get to experience through a career expo like this.”
