If you ask senior finance major Sara Stillwell for advice on expanding your post-graduation job prospects, she’ll tell you to network. That’s why Stillwell, president of the Finance Club, coordinated Oregon State’s participation in Portland State University’s First Annual Northwest Finance Career Fair.
Portland State Financial Management Association president Kris West reached out to Stillwell while planning the event, which took place on March 4, 2014 at PSU’s Native American Student and Community Center.
The career fair was targeted at students from top finance and business schools interested in accounting, finance or economics, and provided a unique opportunity to hear from and network with companies in those fields. More than 150 students (30 of which were from Oregon State) from six schools in the northwest attended the event and talked with representatives from fourteen companies.
The event, which ran from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., began with an employer showcase, where business representatives each gave a 15 minute overview of their company. The rest of the day was a typical career fair, where students could meet and discuss potential opportunities.
It is estimated that the event resulted in 85-120 interviews scheduled, and equally as important were the countless connections made.
“The event was not only for those that wanted to interview; it was also a perfect opportunity to network,” said Stillwell. “It’s great to be able to put yourself out there.”
The fair was equally as beneficial to employers, as it provided them access to top-tier students interested in finance, accounting and economics from a variety of different schools. Students and companies that participated were surveyed, and the feedback was positive. It is the hope that next year’s fair will double in size and will remain the largest finance recruiting event in the Pacific Northwest.
