The University of Idaho Career Center will have an international ambassador visiting locals for preference requests and free photos.
Santa Claus will gather with Vandals for a photo shoot 11-2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the Idaho Commons Rotunda. Employer Relations Specialist Jamie Garlinghouse has coordinated this event for the last two years.
“(Last year), it was a lot of fun. Kids come by with their families, people came by with their pets to take photos with their pets with Santa,” Garlinghouse said. “It really surprised me how fun the event was. This event is a good chance for our office to get more widely recognized.”
Free Photos with Santa is a good opportunity for students and the career development liaisons to reach out to one another, she said.
Assistant Director for Internships and Employer Relations, John Mangiantini has helped put together this event in preparation for the holidays as well. He has been part of the Career Center crew since 2014.
“The people in the (Career Center) care a lot about students experience here,” Mangiantini said. “Our advisors are the spirit of that experience.”
The event is funded by the Career Center to provide students with some holiday enjoyment and a connection with the faculty and department.
Last year, Vandals lined up pose for photos with Santa — where some sat on his lap, asking for gifts or bringing pets along, Garlinghouse said.
In the past, on average the Career Center found that only between 15-20 percent of students take advantage of its resources, Mangiantini said.
“As far as the photos with Santa, the point of it always is students being aware of the offices, of the services that we provide,” he said. “In the end, we know it’s a good service for students to offer, whether they choose it or not.”
After the event, photos will be posted on the UI Career Services Facebook page after the event.
“So, liking us on Facebook will help us share those photos with students,” Garlinghouse said.”
This event has become an annual tradition for groups of faculty, staff and students coming together to capture a memory. Employees at the Career Center encourage friends, sorority sisters, fraternity brothers, roommates and classmates to celebrate Christmas early.
The career advisers said they want to reach out to students while also enjoying the holiday season before dead week is officially upon UI, Garlinghouse said. The Career Center’s past events have helped students, faculty and staff to connect with the department and the resources offered, she said.
“Our advisers here are very, very good. If you have any doubt about the major you’re in or where it will lead you, you should make an appointment with us today,” Mangiantini said. “Whether that career will lead you to opportunities that are satisfying to you. Even people that are sure about themselves should come in. We want to talk about who you are and where you want to go in life.”
Catherine Keenan can be reached at [email protected]