The extensive range of employers attending the first day of the UA’s Spring Career Days event gave students an opportunity to look at a wide variety of job options yesterday.

“”I’ve looked at law enforcement, military, financial and engineering organizations,”” said John Calvo, an electrical engineering junior. “”This is a great place to expand your horizons and get a sense for all the places you can apply after college.””

Approximately 190 companies and organizations set up exhibits and gave out information about the recruitment opportunities they offer students after graduation.

The fair – which concludes today in the Student Union Memorial Center North Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – was organized into broad sections of employers, from government and nonprofit to those recruiting for technical positions.

Organizations included retailers such as JCPenney and La-Z-Boy, financial groups such as Charles Schwab and American Express, and technology corporations such as IBM and Aerotek.

“”If students come in here with resumes, we give them information about what we are looking for, maybe set up a group interview and go from there,”” said Susan Rucker, a human resources manager for Babies “”R”” Us.

While the fair offered a chance for students to browse booths and gain information about different career paths, it also catered to those who are set in their career choice and looking for internships, training opportunities or jobs after graduation.

“”I’ve been talking to mostly business consulting firms, and I’ve already got a ton of information about what companies are looking for,”” said Mark Golab, a business sophomore.

Employers agreed the most important advice they could offer students is to do homework about the company they apply with.

“”Do research, go online, talk to people in the industry and see if it’s right for you as well,”” Rucker said.

Employers also emphasized students be specific when writing resumes and explaining experience in interviews.

Dave Miller, a recruiter for the Boeing Co., said it doesn’t matter if a resume is longer than a page as long as it stays on topic.

“”Conciseness is important, but the best advice I have for students is to go straight to your relevant experience,”” Miller said. “”We get literally hundreds of resumes, and lots of them just list degrees. We want to know what leadership positions our applicants have been involved in.””

Want to try and pick up a job at the last minute today? Check out the list of employers at Spring Career Days:
www.career.arizona.edu/Events/EventList.aspx?eID=SpringCareerDays2008