Career Center to hold Non-Profit and Grad Schools Fair
Although most students nearing the end of their undergraduate years feel pressure to have a career lined up by graduation, Director for Academic Success and Access Programs Suzanne Billington said there is still time for students to explore their passions.
Instead of getting hired at a corporation, Billington said many University of Idaho alumni have found their post-graduate calling at graduate school or working for a nonprofit organization.
“It gives students a chance to work for organizations that they believe in, that their morals match with,” Billington said. “I think that they’ll be happier and feel more welcomed in that organization.”
The UI Career Center will host the Non-Profit and Grad School Fair from 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, in the International Ballroom in the Bruce Pitman Center, formerly the Student Union Building. Billington said the fair is for any student — regardless of their major or year in school — to get information about nonprofit companies and graduate programs.
Billington said the fair is a good way for students to learn about the different kinds of careers within nonprofits. She said many students think working for a nonprofit means they won’t get paid — which isn’t true.
Similar to the biannual Career Fair, the Non-Profit and Grad School Fair features representatives from various nonprofits and graduate schools for students to meet and talk to. However, Billington said the Non-Profit and Grad School Fair will not have as many vendors because many nonprofits do not have a travel budget.
“We’re going to try to put together a video panel for organizations like United Way the day after the fair,” Billington said. “The nonprofit sector does want to engage with students at UI, but because of their funding limitations, they can’t travel to Moscow.”
Additionally, Billington said the Career Fair focuses more on the for-profit sector, but the Non-Profit and Grad School Fair is for students interested in social justice, education, community enhancement, community involvement and attending graduate school. She said there will be about 20 vendors, including the Peace Corps, Idaho National Guard and Gonzaga University.
Eric Anderson, manager of Career Advising and Professional Development, said students should be open to attending the fair to explore the options nonprofits and graduate schools offer.
“There aren’t any jobs in the profit sector that aren’t also available in the nonprofit sector, so students should check it out,” Anderson said.
Anderson said the fair is the perfect opportunity to meet individually with employers, network and have any questions answered, as well as explore the diversity nonprofits have to offer.
Students should arrive in business attire, as well as with an updated resume, Anderson said.
The Career Center faculty will offer open office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday so students can drop in and ask questions. From 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, the Career Center will also offer Networking Night in the Whitewater and Clearwater rooms in the Idaho Commons, where students can learn more about what nonprofit employers are looking for and how to network with some of them.
Kelsey Stevenson can be reached at [email protected]