Career Days at MC help students showcase their skills for potential employers and graduate schools

At the Fall Job and Graduate School Fair, MC students will meet employers and representatives from more than two dozen of the finest graduate and professional schools in the country.

Mississippi Christian University students on the cusp of the job market can gain valuable experience presenting themselves professionally and showcasing their skills to potential employers or graduate school representatives during the MC Office of Career Development-sponsored “Career Days” on the Clinton campus.

MC students can connect with local, national and international employers and graduate schools, find jobs, internships, co-ops and volunteer and shadowing experiences, and explore diverse career paths and majors – all in one place.

Alyssa Bazile, MC director of career development, said the Career Days are designed to connect students with diverse opportunities to explore and advance their careers and educational journeys during and after college.

“Career Days allow students to engage with employers and institutions and learn what avenues may be available to them,” she said. “Students will have the opportunity to network and demonstrate their communication skills. First impressions matter, so attending these events is a first step to making connections that can optimize the trajectory of their current and future opportunities.”

MC students who are not currently in the job market can also benefit from attending Career Days, Bazile said.

“The event gives them an opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from industry leaders,” she said. “Students must be proactive to gain experience. Career Days provide a fun way for students to support each other while they work towards a common goal.”

She shared five tips for navigating Career Days at MC:

* Explore every table: Tech companies might have marketing, human resources and finance opportunities, too. You never know where your skills might fit.

* Ask about all departments: When talking to a recruiter, ask what other teams may be hiring. Students might discover opportunities beyond their major.

* Be open to surprises: Your dream job or internship might be at a company you’ve never heard of, so stay curious and keep an open mind.

* Network first, decide later: Treat every conversation as a chance to learn, even if a company or graduate program doesn’t seem like a fit – it could become one later.

* Collect contacts: Prioritize meaningful conversations and be sure to retain names, emails, business cards and LinkedIn connections.

Upcoming MC Career Days include:

Meet the Firms, 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, Alumni Hall

Meet the Firms provides an opportunity for MC students interested in business, accounting and finance opportunities to make employment connections, enhance their experience in interacting with employers, obtain internships and secure employment.

The annual event brings top employers to the MC campus who network with undergraduate and graduate students. Students should prepare by developing a solid resume and practicing their interview skills,

Fall Job and Graduate School Fair, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 22, Anderson Hall in the B.C. Rogers Student Center

MC students in all majors and graduate fields are encouraged to attend the Fall Job and Graduate School Fair, where they will meet employers and representatives from more than two dozen of the finest graduate and professional schools in the country.

Businesses, companies and organizations looking to hire interns, part-time employees and full-time employees will set up recruitment tables alongside representatives from various graduate programs at MC and other institutions in an effort to help MC students chart a clear path for their futures.

Summer Camp and Ministry Fair, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, Alumni Hall

Currently enrolled MC students and MC alumni who have graduated within the last four years are eligible to attend the Summer Camp and Ministry Fair, which helps students of all majors leverage their summer break by getting involved in ministry.

In addition to counselor, advisor, lifeguardm sports coach and worship leader positions at summer camps, students who are interested in ministerial roles can find valuable networking opportunities at this fair.

All MC students interested in attending Career Days should attend career events and schedule an appointment with the MC Office of Career Development to perfect their resumes and prepare to introduce themselves to recruiters.

For more information about Career Days at MC, visit career.mc.edu.