University officials said they were hopeful about the future after the Diversity Career Fair drew hundreds of students and nearly 60
employers into the Student Union Wednesday night.
The fair was an effort to bring together students and employers who
want to see more diversity in the workforce, said University Career
Services director Ray Angle.
Ray explained that “diversity” could include the usual definitions
such as ethnicity, gender, religious background, national origin, race
or gender identification, but the event was geared toward any students
looking for a career in a more diverse work environment.
“Any student can come,” Angle said. “It’s not just limited.”
He added that he was excited because there was a 40 percent increase
in employer turnout from last year – something he said he hopes is a
sign of a more aggressive economy.
Another factor in the higher turnout could be a recent article in The
Wall Street Journal that named UNC-Chapel Hill in the top 25 best
schools for employers to recruit from, Angle said.
The diversity fair is different from general career fairs because “it
broadens the scope,” said Terri Houston, director for recruitment and
multicultural programs. “It broadens our focus. It shows employers
we’re committed to diversifying the workforce.
“Frankly I think we’re doing our employers a favor,” she said. “We
have absolutely amazing students.”
Houston added that the diversity and multicultural affairs office was
pleased to partner with Univeristy Career Services to help bring
diversity to the workforce.
“Diversity matters,” she said. “This is an important part of the
Carolina experience. The best advice I can give (to students) is to be
yourself. Put your most unique self forward.”
Camile Jones, president of the Black Student Movement, said the
diversity fair is good for presenting minority students with job
opportunities because it singles them out to employers and helps
employers see what they have to offer.
Going to UNC-Chapel Hill doesn’t hurt either, she added.
“They know if you go to Carolina you’re well educated,” she said.
Jones said that the most important thing was getting all students
prepared for their futures. “After Carolina, what’s the next move?”
she said.
“We’re big on diversity,” said Nancy Tan, a business-planning
associate with General Mills. “We’re open to a lot of different
backgrounds.”
Tan said that General Mills is hiring college seniors for entry-level
positions, as well as undergraduates for internships. The main
requirements, she said, are that students should be well rounded and
outgoing with high GPAs and good analytical skills.
Other employers like representatives from Lincoln Financial Group said
they were looking to hire right away, but Belk’s corporate finance
representatives said they were just giving students information for
future reference.
Many of the students at the fair, however, were not looking to be
hired right away.
Darius Latham, a first-year economics major, came to the career fair
to find out about any business internships he might be able to take.
He said he’s heard a lot of stories about people who graduated from
UNC-Chapel Hill and were unable to find jobs after.
“I don’t want to be one of those people,” Latham said. He said his
main goal is to begin making connections with employers now so he can
get a job when he graduates.
Latham was one of a few other first-years looking for internships at
the fair. A common complaint, however, was that none of the employers
were looking to hire first-years.
Other students at the fair were just browsing for opportunities.
Senior Molly Hall-Martin said she was looking for teaching
opportunities. She thought she might visit Teach for America’s booth,
but she said she was confident about her chances of getting a job
after graduation regardless.
“Going to Carolina, it puts the world at our fingertips,” she said.
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
