Thousands expected to attend Career Showcase

January 28, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With graduations and the summer work season approaching, more than 6,000 Gators are expected to be job-hunting at the University of Florida Spring 2013 Career Showcase next week. More than 200 employers will gather at the O’Connell Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 5-6 to meet potential employees and interns.

Career Showcase, hosted by UF’s Career Resource Center, is open to students of all years and all classifications, CRC Director Heather White said. Guests with a valid Gator 1 card, alumni included, are invited to attend. There is an opportunity for every motivated individual, whether a graduating senior seeking a full-time position or an eager freshman seeking an internship and experience, White said.

The first day of Career Showcase is devoted to nontechnical careers, which includes fields such as accounting, communications, education and health care. The second day is dedicated to technical careers and caters to those interested in computer science, researching, engineering and information systems industries. Apple Inc., the CIA and the Walt Disney Company are only a few of the noted employers that plan to attend.

“Right now, 230 employers have registered, but that number will increase by February,” White said. Although career fairs are common, Career Showcase is unique in its magnitude. Last semester, 316 companies recruited at UF. A record-breaking 7,400 students participated. About 1,200 were interviewed by employers the week of showcase alone, White noted.

Career Showcase has been a part of the university for more than 15 years, helping Gators kick-start their lives after college. White has seen students who were successfully hired by employers at Career Showcase come back to UF years later as recruiters.

“We are very proud to host the event…. our staff finds it very fulfilling to have a significant impact on someone’s future career or a company’s continued success,” she said.

To learn more about the Career Showcase and the CRC, visit facebook.com/UFCRC and @UF_CRC on Twitter. Students interested in preparing for the Career Showcase can attend resume-building workshops and professional panels hosted by the CRC. Call 352-392-1601 or visit www.crc.ufl.edu for more information.