CCNY Hosts Its Biggest Job And Internship Fair Of The Year

By Maty DrameThe 2018 internship and job fair took place earlier this month in the Great Hall of Shepard Hall with over 70 employers looking for talent to fill jobs and internships. The event, hosted by the City College’s Career and Professional Development Institute (CPDI) , was open to students and alumni of all majors.Hundreds of job seekers lined up at tables occupied by the MTA, the CIA, US Peace Corps, Uniqlo, NBC Universal-Telemundo among many other organizations and corporations. By 1:30 pm over 700 students had already checked in.Mohammad Cilon, a computer engineering major, has attended previous CCNY career fairs and knew what to expect. “The entire purpose is for networking because with most of the companies you have to apply online anyway,” he says. He added that students should just be themselves when interacting with recruiters.Emiliana Chavez, a 2004 CCNY alumna, agrees. She got hired as a community management intern for Walgreens through this fair years ago. Now she manages a branch on the Upper West Side. She’s among many participating recruiters who graduated from CCNY and started their careers at past CPDI fairs then returned as employers to give back. “I was one of those students,” says Chavez. She hopes her story will inspire other attending students.Rhea Faniel, associate director of employer relations for the CPDI, revels at the success of the event. She has helped organize over 60 career fairs at CCNY since she started in 2004. She has a few tips for students looking to make an impression on potential employers.“Tailor your resume to the job you’re seeking and be prepared,” Faniel advises. “Know that particular company and what types of jobs they’re offering; have five facts about them… for when they ask if you know about the company and why you want to work for them.”Missed this job fair? Faniel says there will be another fair on May 1. It will be held at the NAC ballroom and will focus on students in social sciences and education.