University Communications and Marketing

Employers at the City College Career Fair on February 23 discuss opportunities with students.

Much More Than Career Fairs

MSUB and City College present many opportunities for student, community career launch and support

Contacts:

 Dr. Becky Lyons, Advising and Career Services, 657-2240

University Relations, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Noteveryone coming through Thursday’s career fair at City College at Montana State University Billings knew where they wanted to work, but for the employers in attendance that was okay.

“The most important detail is knowing what you want to do, because even if it’s not something that our company can offer I can still do everything possible to help,” said Teal Francis, recruiting representative for Ativus Group.

Francis was one of over a dozen employers that participated in the career fair. The company actively hires around the year for its Billings branch and Denver, Colorado headquarters.

Francis, a graduate of City College’s Human Resource program about five years ago, said attending fairs or other career preparation programs sponsored by MSUB are a great way to hone employment skills and meet potential partners and friends.

“I’ve met so many students during the Career Fair,” she said.

One of the students not knowing exactly where her future is headed was City College nursing student Cheyenne McCloud, of Billings.

The 23-year-old said she will be looking at employment opportunities in the near future and attending the career fair was a great place to start.

“I’m not looking for work right at this moment, but I’d like to see what’s out there,” McCloud said.

The fair is just one of many opportunities students can hone their future skills for landing a great job.

In the coming weeks MSUB will be sponsoring many Career Services programs geared directly at advancing employment for students today, and laying the groundwork for successful careers.

Dr. Becky Lyons, director of Advising and Career Services, said after last year’s implementation of resume-building and interview workshops the department is offering a third workshop this spring: networking.

Students are lucky that area businesses not only need and want to hire City College and MSUB graduates; they also take time to mentor them as well.

“We have a number of business partners from around Billings that are committed to seeing our students succeed,” Lyons said. “They will be volunteering their time to meet with students and give advice on their resumes, how to network and interviewing skills feedback.”

All events, part of the Making an Impression Series, begin at 2:30 p.m., on Thursdays, in Liberal Arts room 205.

The first event, on March 16 will focus on resumes. On March 23, the department will host a forum on how-to network, followed by the April 6 conclusion on interviewing skills.

While the series concludes after, they are meant to help prepare students for a large career fair on March 30. The fair will be held on from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the the MSUB University Campus, in partnership with Rocky Mountain College, in the Student Union Building.