Miller said by bringing the employers to campus, students have a chance to make direct
contact with the organizations, and in many cases, this puts a student at more of an advantage as
opposed to submitting a “blind” resume.
“By bringing the employers here, they can see what the campus has to offer,” Miller said. “It
also places the students in a more natural and comfortable setting.”
The fair also helps build up the networking process between students and employers, Miller
explained, as well as allows them to establish relationships with each other and become more
than “one-time correspondents.”
Denise R. Nixon, a representative from the Sumter School District, said she believed it was
extremely important for students to come to the fair.
“Students need to know options and to experience talking to and with employers.” Nixon
said.
To increase their likelihood of establishing career connections and securing interviews,
students were asked to dress in business attire and to bring a number of resumes. They were also
required to sign in at the table and wear name tags, which made it easier for recruiters to identify
them.
When attending the Career Fair, Miller said students should treat it like an informal
interview and should do research about the employers beforehand. He added that students
should be prepared and ready to convince recruiters why they should be hired.
Shuvonta Smalls, senior graphic design major, said she believed the career fair was helpful in
finding job opportunities after she graduates.
Another student, Brittany Anderson, senior history major, shared Smalls views and said the
Career Fair was successful for pre-interviews and knowing what type of positions employers are looking to fill.