Successful Job Match Stories

	Interview conducted February 23, 2000
	Randy Gungab attended the November 12, 1999 Michigan Collegiate Job Fair. Although this was not his first job fair, he certainly appreciated the opportunities MCJF offered. Randy started his internship search last September when he registered with his Career Services office at Walsh College. By the time he attended MCJF, he had had several interviews and consequently knew many of the recruiters at the Fall event. More importantly, several of those recruiters remembered him as well and told him he "looked familiar." That recognition and a positive impression, Randy stated, helped with subsequent interviews. Overall, Randy believes he went on 18-20 interviews and received 10-12 job offers; 3-5 of them just from MCJF. Through a referral from his Career Services, he accepted an Intern position at PricewaterhouseCoopers and is currently getting ready for tax season. Despite his previous experience, Randy know how crucial this internship will be to his future plans and recognizes that MCJF helped him solidify his career goals. Randy stated that the advice that helped him the most throughout his search was to remember that the companies were there to recruit and impress him. He further advises future MCJF candidates "to be themselves and don't be shy" in approaching employers. Randy expects to graduate with a Bachelor's in Accounting in December 2000 - Congratulations!
	Click HERE to learn about services at your Career Services/Placement Office.

	Email Received February 23, 2000
	"Almost 6 years ago, I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Communication. The world outside of college seemed very scary and overwhelming to me. The only thing that I knew for certain was that I wanted to be very happy and successful in my career. Luckily, during my junior year, the MSU Career Services and Placement Office suggested that I check into the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Management Trainee Internship. Well, it's 6 years later, and I'm still with Enterprise. Most important to me is that I still LOVE what I do every day. I've also got amazing coworkers, and I make great money. I have since been promoted to Regional Recruiting Supervisor. In this position, I attend as many as 4 career fairs per week at certain times of the year. Very simply, I attend these career fairs to meet with as many students as possible to see if they are a good match for our company. Of all of these career fairs, the Michigan Collegiate Job Fair is by far, the VERY BEST career fair that I attend each year. If you are currently in your internship or career search, or you are a recent graduate that wants to explore your options, I believe the MCJF is your best opportunity to find the company that you are looking for. MCJF offers the largest number of the best companies out there. Many Michigan colleges and universities offer a MCJF workshop to help prepare you for this fair. Check with your Career Services Office for details. Take some time to really think about what you want to do. Try to attend an MCJF workshop so that you can put your best foot forward with employers at the MCJF. Best of luck to everyone in finding the career that will make you happy and successful! You just may find your match at MCJF."
	- Maria Jekielek, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

	Email Received November 15, 1999
	The job fair was just great. Working at the information table was great - it will help me as I coordinate the logistics for our job fair in February. I got some great ideas from you. (Tylenol and tissues and mints, two way radios, just to name a few!) You did a great job coordinating all of the details, I heard employers saying it was just great. It was a great experience for the girls with the unexpected bonus of getting "goodies" from many of the employers with whom I spoke. I know they thought it was going to be a boring event, but they were willing to come along…. They were so excited about getting highlighters in every color of the rainbow. And the light-up yo-yos were a real treat.
	- Jean Baker, Interim Coordinator Career Development, University of Toledo

	Email Received May 28, 1998
	"The Michigan Collegiate Job Fair was awesome!! The opportunities were there and I took advantage. When I finished school in March, I was not sure in what area my finance degree would take me. Attending the Job Fair helped me narrow my choices. It also gave me a wide view of all the available opportunities. I was offered 4 different positions: credit analyst, bank examiner, investment rep., and customer service in a discount brokerage. I never believed I would have choices. I have never had career choices before. I am thirty-four years old, and I have worked for the same corporation for eleven years. I can truly say that attending the Job Fair was a life altering experience. I will be starting my new career in June. I am truly excited and I wanted to thank someone. So thank you."
	- Djuana McDaniel, Detroit College of Business

	Interview conducted February 26, 1999
	Ane Shirinian graduated from Oakland University with a Human Resources Development degree. She attended the Michigan Collegiate Job Fair in March 1997. Her strategy at MCJF was to investigate the companies, not the positions. In other words, she approached companies if they seemed like "good" companies and were enthusiastically recruiting candidates. Using this philosophy, Ane approached American Systems Technology, Inc. (ASTI) even though they were recruiting for Computer Science, not Human Resources. She stressed that MCJF was a way for her to look at different employers to research their work environments, by observing the representatives of the companies in order to determine which ones would be good for her. Although she received many calls after the Job Fair, she stated she was not ready for full-time employment at that time. She conducted a targeted job campaign and went on approximately 7 interviews, mostly through on-campus recruiting. In March 1998 (that’s right a whole year later), Ane received a call for an interview with ASTI and was hired as their Human Resource Administrator. She returned to MCJF in November 1998 as their company representative. She stated that ASTI collected approximately 200 resumes from the Job Fair, set up 30 interviews and made 2 hires. Ane explained that while ASTI looks for high-level technical skills, they often keep the resumes they collect to follow-up with promising candidates -- in her case a year later. MCJF helps ASTI to identify those promising candidates by letting Ane meet the individuals behind the resumes and see their motivation and communication skills. In conclusion, Ane offers this advice to future MCJF participants: be sure to use a strong introduction. Approach companies knowing what you’re looking for and be able to express it.
	Click HERE if you would like more Job Fair Tips.

	Interview conducted February 26, 1999
	Lena Guice works for Snelling Personnel Services. What she likes about her position is the unlimited opportunities it offers her. She gets to do a little of everything and use all her skills she’s gained, including database management, recruiting, interviewing, and marketing, for a company that emphasizes diversity. She spent approximately two years searching for this opportunity, employed in various positions along the way. Her journey started with Michigan Collegiate Job Fair in 1996 when, as a Sociology senior at Wayne State University, she attended to help her make some career decisions. Like many Liberal Arts majors, Lena was unsure of the direction she wanted to take with such a flexible degree. Specifically, Lena researched using her degree in the social services vs. business areas. What she discovered at MCJF was that many companies were truly interested in her skills and degree. Lena stated that she had approximately three interviews after attending the Job Fair, but the positions were not in areas of her interest. However, these contacts helped boost her confidence and taught her to refine her job search. In March 1998 Lena attended MCJF once again to network and get job leads from other HR personnel. She started working for Snelling Personnel Services this past October and is looking forward to recruiting at MCJF sometime in the future. Her last bit of advice: "Save yourself some time; know what you want before graduation and do as much research as you can. It is worth it to put a lot of thought into your career."

Letter Received August 16, 1999

I wanted to write to you and the rest of Michigan Collegiate Job Fair staff in appreciation for helping me land my first "real job offer."

I attended the job fair this past March at Burton Manor and met several contacts from new businesses. The networking was outstanding. I filled out an application with Office Depot who is opening 13 new stores in the Detroit area within the next few years. They were filling Assistant Store Manager Trainee positions. I filled out an application; it led to interviews and I will begin training in September. I am very pleased with this outcome. I am finishing my bachelor's in Finance at Saginaw Valley State University and will get my diploma in a couple weeks.

Thanks again for helping me land my job. I look forward to attending more job fairs in the near future. Best wishes with the career fair this November.

-Jameason R. Kline, Delta Sigma Pi

Success Stories
	Randy Gungab, Walsh College
	Djuana McDaniel, Detroit College of Business
	Maria Jekielek, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
	Ane Shirinian, American Systems Technologies, Inc.
	Lena Guice, Snelling Personnel Services
	Jameason R. Kline, Delta Sigma Pi
	Jean Baker, University of Toledo


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