GREENVILLE�Pitt Community College students made the most of an opportunity to meet with potential employers this month as East Carolina University held its annual career fair Oct. 9. The event featured approximately 180 employers representing a variety of occupations meeting with students at the Greenville Convention Center and ECU�s Health Sciences Building. As in previous years, PCC counselors worked with Career Services staff at ECU to organize Pitt�s participation in the fair. They also held workshops on campus to help students prepare for the event. Tami Kernen, PCC�s Career Services Coordinator, said she and her fellow counselors covered a variety of topics in the workshops, including �power greetings,� r�sum� writing, job-hunting and professional attire. �Employers have commented that they are impressed with the professional appearance of PCC students and how well-prepared they are,� Kernen said. James Purrington, a second-year Networking Technology student at Pitt, said he felt the career fair was a great opportunity to connect with potential employers. He added that the tips he picked up from PCC counselors prior to the fair were helpful. �I felt that I was well-prepared for the event from the information provided on the (PCC) website and the workshops that were available,� Purrington said. Pitt administrators say students benefit from the career fair in several ways. In addition to the potential employment opportunities it presents, they say preparing for the fair contributes to the development of a stronger career services infrastructure at PCC, improved job hunting skills for students, and better retention of students motivated by the job search process. Purrington, who picked up numerous business cards for future reference, said he gained valuable insight from the feedback he received from employers. �I also learned of additional career opportunities that fit with my major from the employers,� he added. |