Hough Graduate School event to match students, alumni with local employers

March 27, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Graduate Business Career Services office at the Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida will host the first-ever “Stay in the Swamp” Career Fair from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Hough Hall, Room 150.

The event, co-sponsored by Florida Works and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, is designed for current and former students of the Hough Graduate School who wish to work and remain in the Gainesville area.

“More and more of our students want to live in Gainesville after graduation, and, at GBCS, we’re always eager to help our students and alumni find great careers,” GBCS Director Craig Petrus said. “Companies in Gainesville, especially the residents at Innovation Hub, are looking to hire talented business graduates. Partnering with Florida Works, the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce and these innovative Gainesville companies just makes sense.”

The format for Thursday’s event differs from most career fairs. For the first hour, Gainesville-area companies, including Grooveshark, RTI Biologics Inc. and Totuit, will deliver three-minute “elevator pitches” to students. Because some of these innovative companies are still growing, Petrus said the pitches will help familiarize students with the companies’ missions. From 7 to 9 p.m., students and alumni will be able to network with company representatives about full-time positions and internships. Selected candidates will return Friday to Hough Hall for formal interviews at the companies’ requests.

“There is such a push to keep talent in Florida,” Petrus said. “That message has come from Florida Gov. Rick Scott and from University of Florida President Bernie Machen. Everyone associated with GBCS and the Hough Graduate School of Business is eager to help our talented students and alumni receive jobs and internships in the state of Florida.”

There is no cost to attend the event. Attire is business casual and students are encouraged to bring plenty of copies of their résumés.

Other companies scheduled to attend are: Alachua County government, Altavian, Eatable, Enterprise, EthosU, GRU, Infinite Energy, Info Tech, LifeSouth, and Wal-Mart Stores.

For more information about the “Stay in the Swamp” Career Fair, contact GBCS-info@warrington.ufl.edu.

For information about the event, go to https://news.warrington.ufl.edu/2013/03/hough-graduate-school-to-host-stay-in-the-swamp-career-fair/.