Among those at the Spring Connection were Fox students Sean Massenburg, Khilna Vyas and Bill Rennie.


Massenburg, a senior from West Philadelphia, was utilizing the event as plan B. Plan A, he said, is tapping into what he believes is his most effective job searching tool — his network of family members, friends and neighbors.


“What’s really been reinforced for me is that it’s all about relationships. It’s hard to go into it [the job search] cold,” said Massenburg, whose sights are set on a career in international affairs via business or government.


His best job-hunting advice to fellow students: Start early! That’s exactly what Vyas and Rennie have done.


Vyas, a junior from Cheltenham, was scouting out an internship in marketing and public relations at the Spring Connection. So far, she’s put a lot of work into her search, using the tools and services available at the Center for Student Professional Development, and brushing up on the companies for which she’d like to work.


“I always think through what I can bring to the table. It’s not about what they can do for me,” explained Vyas, who advises other students attending career fairs to always look professional. “The first impression is the most important. Talk clearly, smile, and be prepared.”


With intern programs getting cut because of the economy, the process has become more difficult, she noted. While students might have previously had the luxury of considering several offers and choosing the best one, they now need to seriously consider taking the first offer because it might be the only one.


Rennie, a sophomore from the Lehigh Valley who is studying underwriting risk and is ultimately interested in real estate, started laying his career path very early. He has already held one internship, and since he attended last year’s career fair he is seeing familiar faces among the employers this year.


Almost 600 students registered to meet with 50 employers at Spring Connection. Although the number of employers went down from 63 last spring and 70 at the fall event, Snell is pleased with the turnout.


“Employers realize the importance of maintaining the relationships they have developed with our center,” she said. “College recruitment programs are a smart way to build ‘bench strength’ within an organization and also contribute to succession planning initiatives. Employers think carefully before putting the brakes on their campus recruitment efforts.”


Snell urges students to take advantage of every possible resource such as those available at the university, school and college career offices. She also suggests reaching out to alumni, many of whom are open and willing to talk with and mentor Temple students; attending career fairs; and getting involved with student professional organizations.


At Temple, a good place to start is with the university’s Career Center, which offers a multitude of services for job seekers. Either online or in person, students can do everything from perfecting their resumes to searching for opportunities to working with a career coach. There are also details on employers, possible career paths and upcoming workshops and career fairs.


The office recently held an event that brought together 150 students and 75 alumni who volunteered to help students practice their networking skills, as well as an etiquette dinner where 150 students learned and practiced the do’s and don’ts of a formal business dinner. Many more events are planned throughout the spring and even up to and after Commencement.


“In this market it is even more imperative that we provide students with the skills to navigate these waters and as many opportunities as possible to connect them with employers and alumni,” said Rachel Brown, director of the Career Center, who notes that the number of alumni turning to the Career Center for assistance has increased.


Another career fair, this one sponsored by the College of Science and Technology will be held on Tuesday, March 31. Employers are coming from across the Northeast and will meet CST undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students as well as alumni. The event has evolved into one that will benefit not just graduating students but also younger students who still have a few years of school left.


“The event gives students a chance to interact with employers in a more intimate setting — to listen to and ask questions of professionals,” said Olga Vilceanu, director of International Programs and Career Services at CST. She reports that although fewer employers are coming this year because of the poor economy, her office remains connected online.


“In this economy, students need to be more open-minded and understand that their career doesn’t start when they graduate, but rather when they are freshmen, sophomores and juniors,” said Vilceanu. “If you don’t know what you want to do yet, pursue internships and explore global opportunities such as teaching abroad and the Peace Corps. This will give strength to your resume and at the same time help you figure out your career aspirations.”