UF Career Week connects thousands of Gators with employers from across the state and nation
Endless website scrolling isn’t the only way to land a job or internship. Making in-person connections can often be the key to landing that dream career.
To this end, the University of Florida Career Connections Center recently hosted its Career Week from Jan. 27 to 31 in various locations on the Gainesville campus.
More than 250 employers attended, including notable Fortune 100 companies like Citigroup, ExxonMobil, Enterprise Mobility, Target Corporation, and PepsiCo.
“It’s never too early to engage,” said Anna Steffanini, a senior career readiness coach with the Career Connections Center, who added that Career Week is for all students – not just graduating seniors. “In fact, the earlier the better. Even as a freshman, you can start developing your networking skills and identifying what your professional brand is.”
Career Week included the popular Career Showcase, which is the largest career fair in the Southeast and involves three days of in-person networking with top employers from across the United States. The tradition, dating back to the mid-1980s, allows students and alumni to explore part-time, full-time, and co-op opportunities, as well as internships, in all career pathways.
The first day was Computer & Information Science & Engineering and Artificial Intelligence Day, hosted specifically for companies hiring students and alumni with experience in computer science, computer engineering, digital arts and sciences, data science, cybersecurity, and AI/machine learning.
The following two days were non-technical and technical days. The non-technical day featured opportunities in accounting, management, sales, government, finance, hospitality, healthcare, communications, marketing, social services, and other non-technical professions. The technical day showcased opportunities in engineering, information technology, research and development, architecture, programming, construction, biomedicine, manufacturing, and other technical professions.
At the event, a preparation table was set up with various resources to help students succeed during the showcase. For the first time this semester, employers added a special touch to check-in by leaving words of encouragement for students at the prep table. Hershey recruiters, for instance, wrote, "Have a sweet day!" Handouts were provided to help students create organized lists of the companies that interested them and to develop the perfect professional pitches. The Career Connections Center also hosted tours for students, faculty, and staff on each day of the showcase to help attendees feel more comfortable networking.
More than 3,800 UF students and alumni attended the showcase, as did 86 volunteers (faculty, staff, and students) from 27 departments across campus. Representatives from companies and organizations such as The Hershey Company, Macy’s, Michelin, Royal Caribbean Group, Texas Instruments, EY, Micron Technology, Southeastern Grocers, and Honeywell were in attendance.
During Career Week, the Career Connections Center hosted various events, including a Career and Community Meet-Up, a Master’s and Doctoral Student Industry Meet-Up, Employer Information Sessions, and Career Week Interviews, all of which drew hundreds of participants.
This spring, the center is hosting several events to connect with recruiters in addition to the Just in Time Fair – another opportunity to connect with employers about their available full-time opportunities – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11 in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom. Students of all majors and degree levels, as well as faculty and staff, are invited.
“This is a safe space to come and just experience,” Steffanini said. “Learning the experience early can help you have confidence and clarity.”
For more information on the Career Connections Center, visit career.ufl.edu.