The SAF Job Fair is right around the corner. This is your chance to network and connect with employers in areas of forestry, forest products, natural resources and outdoor recreation industries. We have a fantastic group of employers in both private and public sectors who have registered to attend this year’s job fair including Bartlett Tree Experts, Boise Cascade, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, Pacific Forest Management, South Coast Lumber, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and Weyerhaeuser (just to name a few! You can see the full list here!)
You might be saying “I’m not really looking for a job. Why should I go?” Good question. The answer is that even if you are not actively seeking employment or an internship, this is still a great opportunity to get your name and face in front of some industry leaders. In addition, it is a great forum to practice selling yourself to employers, find out what skills and qualification they are looking for and research opportunities that may be available in the future.
Or you’re saying “These employers do not hire for careers in my field of study. I’m not going to bother going”. Are you sure about that? Organizations could be hiring for a vast array of positions that you could easily qualify for. And not only that, they may know of positions within other organizations that fit both your skill set and your area of interest. Previous CoF students who have attended the SAF Job Fair have landed positions because they gave their resume to someone who passed it on to someone else.
You could even be saying “I’m really busy and don’t have time to attend the job fair. I’ll look for my summer job later.” The truth is that some of the employers attending the SAF Job Fair are looking to hire for positions now! This is a big reason why the SAF Job Fair, once held in February, was moved to October; to accommodate employers who hire for the upcoming season early. If you put off going, you could miss opportunities that won’t come back around until this time next year.
Job fairs and career expos are not just a chance to find a job. They are an opportunity to make valuable connections that can work to your advantage at a later time. Talking with employers, job seeking or not, develops your confidence and improves how you present yourself to employers. And let’s be honest, we can all use practice in making employers think they need us in their organization.
The employers who are planning on attending this year’s job fair are eager and excited to meet with College of Forestry students because you have a reputation for being the best in your field. They want to see your resumes, your cover letters and hear you tell them what you can offer to their organization. And trust me when I tell you that you will not always have the opportunity for employers to come seeking you out.
The SAF Job Fair is Tuesday, October 18th in the MU Ballroom. It runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Some employers will be doing onsite interviews the day of the job fair or scheduling for a later date. Bring your resume and be ready to make a good impression.
