Annual career fair offers summer jobs

Nearly 50 companies, including hiring agencies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies will be in attendance at Portland State’s annual part-time career and job fair on Thursday, May 4, in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The career fair, which in the past has seen 800 to 900 attendees, is primarily for students looking for summer work. Students can come and learn about opportunities as interns and part-time and full-time employment during the last of the three career fairs that PSU holds each year.

“It’s a good opportunity for students,” said Dee Thompson, the Portland State Career Center director. “There should be a little something for everybody.”

Thompson said that even students who are currently working should be encouraged to come, because they might find something else of interest.

“If you are wanting to test the waters, this is a good way to do that,” Thompson said.

Many of the employers in attendance aim to give students the opportunity to get some valuable experience in their major. Thompson said the Morrison Center for Child and Family Services would be a great place to work for those interested in social work. She said other employers, like UPS, offer jobs that help subsidize high tuition costs.

Since it is highly competitive for students to get a job immediately after graduation, Thompson recommended that students supplement their education with work in their field of study. She said that Portland State graduates generally offer a well-rounded package because PSU requires a senior capstone to help students get work experience.

“They appreciate that students do have experience outside of the classroom,” Thompson said.

Thompson said that the number of students hired as a result of the career fair is not reported, but companies must be hiring students if they continue to come back year after year.

“I think employers like PSU students,” Thompson said. “They appreciate the fact that they are motivated to work.”

The Portland State Career Center offers many career-seeking services to PSU students for free. According to Thompson, about 1,200 job listings are posted to the center’s web site at any given time. These postings include on-campus jobs, as well as full- and part-time jobs off campus, and can be accessed at www.pdx.edu/careers.