LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Career Services Office at Lock Haven University hosted its third annual V.I.P Fair, Thursday, September 10 at Rogers Gymnasium, with more than 500 students in attendance. The V.I.P Fair offered students information on volunteer, internship, and part-time job opportunities from over 30 different participating businesses and organizations.
"This year at the LHU V.I.P fair I made two great contacts with local employers in the area. I was excited to meet and talk with local business men and women because I believe the relationships between the college community and the Lock Haven community are essential to build stronger students,” said Leigh Szucs, a senior at Lock Haven University. “The students are really lucky to have on-campus events like this to help better their educational careers."
The Second Mile, Peace Corps, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clinton County were just a few of the organizations who attended the V.I.P. Fair looking for individuals who were interested in their volunteer positions. Other organizations were more in need of volunteers than others. Central Counties Youth Center expressed their constant need for volunteers for their organization in order to perform at its maximum potential.
“We are always in need of volunteers for our programs. There are many opportunities for students to get involved in the Lock Haven or Bellefonte communities,” said Jim Jones of the Central Counties Youth Center.
The director at the Annie Halenbake Ross Library was pleased with the V.I.P. Fair. “The event is a great way to introduce the library to the students whether they volunteer or not,” said Diane Whitaker of the library.
Hope Enterprises, Inc., NHS Human Services, and PSECU attended the V.I.P. Fair to advertise their available part-time positions to the Lock Haven Students. Students had the opportunity to take applications from the attending employers and also to hand in their resumes as a way of networking.
Lock Haven Hospital and Extended Care Unit, PA Board of Probation and Parole, and SouthernCare, Inc. were some of the businesses who attended the V.I.P. Fair to make students aware of their internship positions. The Walt Disney Company table sparked a lot of interest with the Lock Haven University students and many showed their interest as they signed up for more information.
“Going into the Career Fair, I was ‘set’ on who I would visit and what I would look for. After getting there, I was surprised to find out how many different opportunities lie in my intended major. I expected to volunteer in a hospital setting but the openings were endless in the health care field,” said Meagan Ober, who connected with two local employers in the area.
There were a number of other businesses and organizations who were offering information on all three categories: volunteer positions, internships, and part-time jobs. AFLAC, Fastenal, and the US Marine Corps were a few of the organizations that offered multiple opportunities and information on their current opportunities.
Students who made the most of the V.I.P. Fair left with plenty of information on the organizations of their interest as well as information on prospective part-time job and internship opportunities.
“The V.I.P. Fair gave me a good start on what I should start to look forward to in my goal setting and action planning with my academic advisor (and) what jobs are available around the area, should I stay here,” said Meagan Ober.
The V.I.P. Fair was an excellent opportunity for students to meet potential employers face to face and make promising connections for the future. Not only was this event an opportunity for students to collect valuable career information, it was an opportunity for students to market themselves in the areas in which they wish to further their career.