MADISON BLASZ
Special to The Leader
With COVID-19 infections still surging across the U.S., many employers are turning to virtual showcases as a hiring strategy.
While not new, the concept has been gaining popularity since the pandemic began.
You might be asking yourself — what is a virtual employer showcase?
Well, all throughout the month of March at Fredonia, the Career Development Office (CDO) is hosting a virtual showcase where employer workshops are hosted by student clubs and targeted classes, all of which are open to all students and alumni.
Chris LaGrow, associate director of career development, has worked at Fredonia for 16 years.
Two sides of his job include: working with students on job searching, resume building and career decision making, and also working with employers, coordinating their job posts and recruiting programs.
“This showcase is a way to bring employers to students during the pandemic, giving them a more direct access,” said LaGrow.
The presentations held virtually will be approximately 30 to 45 minutes and may cover information including each organization’s own recruitment needs and internship opportunities, as well as topics such as interviewing, job searching and professionalism.
“While we are doing these kinds of presentations and hearing it from actual employers, it can be real meaningful,” said LaGrow.
The employer showcase has a lot of employers participating, 80 to 90 different organizations.
A current list of employer participants includes the following: Advanced Production Group LLC; Alliance Advisory Group; Calpine; Disney College Program; International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons; Lancaster Central School District; National Comedy Center; New York Mets; New York State Civil Service; Pro Football Hall of Fame; Service Collaborative of Western New York; among others.
There are also multiple student clubs partnering with this virtual event.
LaGrow said, “We hope that this showcase helps student clubs by getting together and providing programming for their members, at least for clubs that have a more career or academic focus.”
Student clubs that are included are Tau Sigma; the Fredonia Democracy Initiative; Transfer Student Organization; American Society for Quality; Computer Science/CIS and the School of Business; among others.
The showcase helps student clubs and employers to engage with students from all backgrounds, disciplines and interests.
This event is an impactful way for students to connect.
Students have the opportunity to ask questions, see offices and interact with employees in the field and in real time.
LaGrow made it clear that if you are interested in any of the employers, just come.
Do not make an assumption that a certain type of employer is looking for a certain type of person, just go and learn what that company and organization is about and ask questions.
“Even with the pandemic still happening, being able to attend an event like this is amazing,” said senior, Madison Engle.
Not knowing what to expect, she was hopeful a good thing would come out of this event.
“Having the opportunity to be able to still see what jobs are out there shows us students that the school is doing the best they can to still help us in any way,” said Engle.
Engle was surprised when hearing about the chance to win an FSA gift card if she attends some of these showcases.
“I feel that is a great way for students to be more interested in this showcase because they have a chance to win something,” she said.
At the end of the month, all participants will be entered for a chance to win a $200 FSA gift card.
“The chance to win the $200 gift card is to anyone who does our evaluation at the end of the month, those individuals are entered into a larger raffle,” said LaGrow.
Also, one participant from each session will receive a $25 FSA gift card, and those entries are earned for each presentation attended.
These FSA gift cards are being donated through a grant that the CDO has through FSA.