SUNY Oswego will hold two career networking events on Oct. 12 and 19 to help students find possible career and internship opportunities.

The Career and Internship Fair for external representatives (companies and organizations) will run from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, in Marano Campus Center’s Swetman Gym.

Following the external event, an on-campus job and internship expo sponsored by Experiential Courses and Engaged Learning (EXCEL) will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, on the Marano Campus Center concourse.

SUNY Oswego's Career Services and EXCEL offices coordinate the activities. 

“It’s pretty wide ranging,” said Gary Morris, director of career services. “We’ll have probably close to 90 different organizations representing about every possible career field.”

The Oct. 12 fair will host around 150 representatives -- about 40 of them are SUNY Oswego alumni. These representatives can help students see what kinds of opportunities their studies might provide.

“We at Career services and EXCEL both want students to understand that you really do become a lot more than just the major you chose,” Tina Cooper, the internship coordinator for EXCEL.

The Career Fair is a place for students to make connections with representatives. A wide variety of organizations will attend this event and students may end up leaving with new ideas about their future that they never thought possible.

“If you’re not quite sure what your path is, you can walk around that room and talk to 90 different organizations,” Morris said.

Cooper said she understands that students are intimidated by the idea of talking to professionals, but this event is much more casual than an interview. 

“It’s really easy to talk to employers at the Career Fair,” Cooper said. She has heard people talking to employers about sports and other topics –- it’s all a way to connect with people.

On-campus expo

Students are able to go to the Oct. 19 expo to look for future employment opportunities, as well as present opportunities. This expo features 20 to 25 tables of on-campus employers looking for interns and employees.

“There are a lot of people on campus who are hiring for student workers,” Cooper said. “They are in need of employees.”

This event is a way for students to make connections on campus and see what opportunities are available for them. Participating entities offer internships and employment opportunities for students.

“We could talk to students and tell them the benefits of going to these events and market them for weeks and months,” Cooper said. “But seeing it for yourself is always going to be the most powerful way for a student to, again, understand the importance of these things.”

Students can go on Handshake to see full descriptions of what companies and organizations will be at these events. 

-- Written by Gabrielle Kroeger of the Class of 2023