Devyn Forcina ‘22

News Editor

On Monday, September 14, 2020, Holy Cross students met with prospective employers in a Virtual Career Fair. This career fair included employers from for-profit organizations including ALKU, BAE Systems, Inc., Ernst & Young LLP, Floyd Advisory LLC, GE, HPOne Holdings Inc., KPMG LLP, Oracle, PepsiCo, Putnam Investments, Quest Diagnostics, RSM US LLP, and Wolf & Company, PC. These employers shared information about their respective company missions, cultures, and open positions. Students met with these employers in group sessions or in one-on-one sessions. 

While this career fair may have been different from those students are accustomed to, there are still many benefits from virtual networking. Though distanced, students were able to form close relationships with company representatives. Offering both group sessions and one-on-one sessions provided students to engage with employers in ways that were simultaneously comfortable and professional.  I had the opportunity to discuss the Virtual Career Fair with Julie Draczynski, Associate Director in the Center for Career Development:

Is there anything positive about virtual networking instead of in-person networking?

“One of the benefits of our virtual career fair is that it allows students to network and talk with employers both in group settings and one-on-one without the distractions that can exist when everyone is at a large event in person vying for employers’ time. Students can sign up for a specific employer group and one-on-one sessions that interest them right within the Career Fair event in Handshake. One-on-one sessions provide students with an opportunity to speak with an employer recruiter and/or alumni about open roles at the company, skills and abilities they may be looking for and gives the student an opportunity to express their interests and qualifications. Group sessions provide an opportunity for the employer to share details about their company, culture, and open roles so students attending can discern if that company might be a good fit.  Please note that registration for the Virtual Career Fair is a two step process – first students must register in Handshake, and then once registered, they must sign up for group sessions and one-on-one sessions prior to the Fair. Finally, the Center for Career Development is also hosting a Graduate School Fair in October and a Non-Profit Career Fair in January — stay tuned for more information.”

How can students continue to utilize the Center for Career Development’s services during the virtual semester?

“The Center for Career Development is well-positioned to respond to students’ needs through virtual means.  We are eager to connect with students, regardless of class year, major or where you are in your own career decision-making process. All appointments are being conducted via zoom or phone.  Students can log into Handshake to schedule time with a career counselor for career counseling, career exploration advice, job/internship search advising, document reviews, or career community advising. I would also encourage students to check out our upcoming virtual events and the wealth of career resources available to them on our website and in Handshake. Our top priority has been and still remains advising and supporting students throughout their individual career development process.”

If students missed this event, what future events can they look forward to?

“We have a number of events planned for this semester. We are offering CCD Zoom Chats every week for each class year. The Zoom chat provides an opportunity for students to chat one-on-one with a career center staff member to check-in and get quick questions answered. Seniors should save the date for our Destination ’21 Virtual Networking Night on October 6th. We also have various virtual events planned that span across our career communities – Wall Street Intern Panel, Environmental Studies Alumni Panel, Medical School Advice for First-Year Students, Careers in the Visual Arts Alumni Panels, to name a few! Additionally, the CCD will once again host the Interview Series which allows alumni and employers to teach students about the variety of interviews that students may encounter depending on their chosen industry.  Students can view the list of events and RSVP in Handshake.” 

Though away from campus this semester, Holy Cross students can partake in many career development and networking opportunities this semester. If you missed the Virtual Career Fair, consider attending one of the Center for Career Development’s other events to continue advancing your postgraduate plans.