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Ka Leo O Hawai‘i EDITOR LYNN NAKAGAWA ASSOCIATE JANE CALLAHAN NEWS @ KALEO.ORG
Career Fair
MONDAY, OCT. 22, 2010
MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE DAY
from front page
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2010
tration) made the best impression because the job is secure. It’s a government job. The government doesn’t go out of business, it won’t go under.” Some students who were looking for temporary work also weighed a company’s chances for retaining its employees. Antonio Brennan, a senior psychology major set to graduate this spring, was at the career fair in search of a summer job. “I want a stable, corporate job. AT&T and Apple (looked most promising) because they’re growing,” said Brennan “I’ve heard things, like that there are no jobs out there. (These big companies) have more job openings.”
W H AT E M P L OY E R S WA N T
Don Vallejo, a sophomore and volunteer who greeted students at the doors of the career fair, has been to the fair as a job seeker three times. He says one of the benefits of attending the fair is that students can “get a better idea of what they are looking for.” Vallejo continued, “In high school, they tell you what you need to learn to get a job. Coming to the career fair, you learn more about what employers want.” Vallejo said his impression was that the most important skills a student should have when seeking employment are personal-relations skills and knowledge specific to the career in which they are interested. One company is looking to hire graduates to work starting in January 2011 for a graduate sales program, which “includes an extensive training and development program, giving the recent graduate everything they need to become a success.” “Generally the people that do really well have outgoing personalities, are go -getters … people that get things done and make things happen. They know that it ’s not about the experience they currently have, but
8:30 TO 11:30A.M. HOKULANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Our annual Make-A-Difference Day is coming, and we need our Hokulani community and friends to help! Projects include garden work, painting, and cleaning. When: Saturday, October 23, 8:30-11:30 am What to Bring: 1. School Spirit! 2. Optional: Garden gloves, small garden tools What’s Included: Lunch for all participants For more information, contact Myrah Kim, Parent Facilitator at 733-4789 JOEL KUTAKA / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
Sophomore Ben Salazar listens to Tyler Tangonan of NAVSUP at the Career Fair last Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010. how much they want it and how willing they are to learn,” said the representative. Despite student worries about entering an ailing economy, one recruiter said that his company feels that “the media sales and marketing world looks good.” Sena Pierce, the Peace Corps campus representative at UH Mānoa, provides an example of how employers look for different things depending on what the company does. Pierce said, “We are looking for individuals with motivation, commitment and a desire to help others. An applicant to Peace Corps is more competitive with a degree in education, health or agriculture or related work/volunteer experience.” Pierce said there are thousands of job openings with the Peace Corps for 2011. Many employers stated that they come to UHM because they have had good results with graduates they’ve hired in the past. “I am continually impressed with the students (here),” said Pierce “There are currently 13 UHM alumni serving in the Peace Corps.
517 UHM alumni have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.”
A WO R D O F A DV I C E In addition to answering questions, company representatives were happy to give advice to future graduates. One company said that those searching for work should research prospective employers, learn what they do, and what they are looking for. “Be prepared to tell them who you are. Remember you are selling yourself to the company, what return on investment are you offering?” Pierce said students should think about where they want to be years down the road when considering job options, and ask if what they are pursuing fits with their long-term goals. She added that a “no-no” for students is “to show up, but not ask questions.” Dressing in business attire is also a “must ” when applying for jobs. One representative quoted writer Dan Zevin:, “Never wear a backward baseball cap to an inter view unless applying for the job of umpire.”
Do you want to be happy? Do you want to overcome life’s problems? If yes, you’ve found the right place! The Ryuho Okawa Club, based on the works of Ryuho Okawa, will help you overcome problems and guide you to living a better life! Ryuho Okawa is one of Japan’s most famous authors, and many of his books have become million-sellers in Japan. Please feel free to contact Alex at 808-277-5297 or email: okamuraa@hawaii.edu