At UNM's Educator's Job Fair, students often walk away with a new job.
UNM Career Services in conjunction with the College of Education will host its annual job fair in the SUB Ballroom on Thursday. The event is an opportunity for students to seek out prospective employers from across the country.
Representatives from more than 60 school districts throughout the Southwest will be seeking students to fill teaching, counseling and administrative positions.
Students, while taking the opportunity to learn more about prospective employers, will also have the chance to be interviewed.
"There will actually be job offers made at this event," said Mary Monta§o, Career Services manager for employee relations.
This year's fair is scheduled 'circuit-style' with other education fairs across the state including NMSU. Recruiters look at schools within a region that make up a circuit, decide which schools best fit their needs and circle around those schools.
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Lori Miller, a career development facilitator, said recruiters consistently come back to UNM because of the diversity, and because UNM puts out good teachers.
"We're a very popular university to recruit from," Miller said "We have a good college of education, great students, great diversity that recruiters love."
Some recruiters including Albuquerque Public Schools, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Moreno Valley Schools in California and Washoe County Schools in Nevada have become regulars at the event.
"It just seems to balance out because so many of our students want to stay in New Mexico, whereas the students that are from out of state appreciate having choices outside the state," Monta§o said.
Twenty-five New Mexico school districts will be represented. Out-of-state participants include Colorado, Texas and Virginia.
Although the event is aimed mainly at graduating seniors, Monta§o said it appeals to all students because it is a great way to facilitate the connection between UNM students and employers.
"I believe graduating students benefit most directly, but career fairs are also part of a complete professional development package," she said. "Job seekers of all levels learn how to market themselves and develop important networking and interviewing skills."
Two hundred and twenty-four students are scheduled to graduate from the College of Education this semester.
The job fair will have an open walk-through format from 2 to 6 p.m. Interviews will take place from 6 to 9 p.m.
The afternoon format accommodates student teachers who might otherwise be unable to attend due to classroom responsibilities, Monta§o said.
In addition, a networking luncheon has been added to the schedule of events to allow College of Education faculty and UNM administrators an opportunity to meet with school district representatives.
