At Career Fair, SJU Students Prepare for a “Lifetime of Success”

Produced by: Office of Marketing and Communications

February 21, 2017

Jason Huang ’17TCB was one of 837 students who gathered to meet potential employers in Taffner Field House for this year’s Spring Career Fair held on February 16.

“I came here to introduce myself to the Big Four,” the accounting  major said, referring to the top four global firms in the field. “It’s very important that St. John’s puts this event together for us because networking is the most important aspect of getting ahead, and if I can develop relationships with recruiters, doors will be open for me.” 

In order to better leverage their personal brands with representatives from nearly 70 different businesses, students were encouraged by University Career Services—the event’s organizer—to bring multiple copies of their résumés and wear business attire. With the “SJU Career Fair Plus” free app available on iTunes and Google Play, students also received access to an updated list of companies scheduled to attend, an interactive floor plan, and preparation tips.

“St. John’s is unique in that we have a team of seasoned professionals who bring their industry-specific expertise to their work,” said Paulette Gonzalez, Senior Director for Employer Relations. “They partner with each of the colleges to advise students, engage with key employer partners, facilitate mentoring opportunities, and promote leadership development.”

Some notable employers in attendance included Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), RSM (a global audit, tax, and consulting firm), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), LG Electronics, the NYC Department of Investigation, Peace Corps, Newsday Media Group, Teach for America, and Walgreens. Participation among employers was up 62 percent over last year.

Alumna Alecia Copeland ’16MBA was back on campus recruiting for paid summer internships in the audit and tax departments at KPMG. “I’m a prime example,” Ms. Copeland said. “We believe St. John’s graduates make great hires.”

Marketing major Isabel Luk ’17TCB—who has already been accepted to St. John’s MBA program to study international business—came to the Career Fair seeking a paid summer internship. “I’m looking at Geico and marketing roles within the accounting firms,” said Isabel. “My dream job is to be a marketing manager.”

“Medical school is definitely in my future,” said biology major Sarah Sarour ’20C. “Getting a great internship in the sciences will help me become a better doctor.” Sarah spoke to representatives from Hain Celestial—a publicly traded natural and organic food and personal care company. “This is our fourth year at the Career Fair, and we’ve hired St. John’s students every time,” said Jenna Tufano, a recruiter for the company looking to fill 15 paid summer intern spots.

Ms. Gonzalez stressed the placement rate for the undergraduate graduating class of 2015 was 94.1 percent. “While we are extremely proud of that rate,” she noted, “we believe the true value of a St. John’s degree is the University’s commitment to providing all students with the best personal and professional development for a lifetime of success.”

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