Mass Communication Career Fair approaches

Angelica Cruz-Rodriguez

aac125@txstate.edu

Nicole Hengst
Photo by: Angelica Cruz-Rodriguez

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Career Services invites students and alumni to the Mass Communication Career Fair, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, in the LBJ Student Center ballroom from noon to 4 p.m.

Employers will be hiring for internships, part-time and full-time positions. Those attending the free event are to bring their student ID, or if an alumni to bring their drivers license or know their student ID number. It is recommended to attend in business casual to business formal attire, bring multiple resumes and business cards, and be well informed about the companies at the fair.

Nicole Hengst, a lecturer in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said to be confident and professional when meeting employers.

“As you are speaking to your employers remember to be confident in yourself, to stand confidently, speak confidently and know that you have value,” said Hengst. “Be respectful of the employer and follow all the basic conversation norms. Look them in the eye when they are speaking. Give them some nonverbal communication back and never interrupt. Do not make fun of a company, even if [that company is] a competitor to the employer you are speaking with.”

Career Services has many resources in order to help students prepare for the fair. They have the Career Closet where a student can rent professional attire for cheap. It is recommended to plan ahead as the Career Closet will be closed during the fair. The computer lab is open to help students create their resume and print out their resumes on thicker white paper. Students can also submit their resumes to be reviewed and critiqued within 48 hours.

Hengst said students often think that they have nothing to offer the companies but the student should not believe that.

“You have an education because you are here at Texas State,” said Hengst. “You have experience within your classes, and you have new ideas and solutions to bring to the table for each company’s current problems. All of these things are valuable, and you are valuable.”

Mass Communication Career Fair presents job opportunities for students

School of Journalism and Mass Communication lecturer Nicole Hengst
Photo by Hallie Colbert

By Hallie Colbert

hmc54@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Career Services will host the Mass Communication Career Fair on Thursday, Feb. 22, in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom from noon - 4 p.m. and will feature 22 companies hiring for multiple positions.

Nicole Hengst, a lecturer for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, spoke Monday on how students should conduct themselves in the presence of experienced professionals, and how to prepare for the career fair by utilizing resources offered by Texas State’s Career Services.

Career Services is located on the fifth floor of the LBJ Student Center, and offers resources such as a computer lab where students can access free resume templates and printing material. Students can send in resumes and cover letters online to be reviewed and critiqued by a career counselor within 48 hours. 

Career Services also offers the Career Closet, which students can borrow clothes from before the career fair if they have no formal clothing of their own, Hengst said.

“We understand that as college students, most of you guys don’t just have disposable income to go run out and purchase extra professional clothing,” Hengst said. “That’s why Career Services offers the Career Closet. You can rent professional attire for extremely cheap, sometimes just for the price of laundering those items when you’re done.”

Students are encouraged to make use of the Career Services’ Career Closet and resume editing services before the career fair, because the Career Closet will be closed during the fair and students should arrive prepared with completed resumes to give to prospective employers.

Hengst said students should practice self-presentation before the fair, and conduct each interaction with confidence. 

“You are your own brand, and essentially you need to pitch yourself to a potential employer,” Hengst said. “The employer should leave the conversation thinking, ‘I need this person on my team.’”

All Texas State University students and alumni are welcome to the free event, and are required to show a Texas State University ID card, ID number or driver’s license upon entry.

Mass Communication Career Fair will open opportunities for undergraduate students

By Madison Diaz
MadisonDiaz12@gmail.com

 SAN MARCOS, Texas — This semester’s Mass Communication Career Fair will take place in the LBJ Student Ballroom this Thursday from noon - 4p.m. where 19 different companies will be looking to hire undergraduate students as either intern, part-time or full-time staff.

Companies such as Community Impact Newspaper, Cox Media Group and KCWX-TV plan to attend this event, seeking out undergraduate students who might be interested in joining their team. Most students think they might not have much to offer, but to these companies, education and personal experience add value to potential employees.

 Nicole Hengst, lecturer from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, encouraged students to attend the event and use the many services provided in the Career Services office. She said this event is a great opportunity for students to put their foot in the door on a future career.

 “Attending will be a great way for students to meet somebody, look them in the eye, shake their hand and begin a relationship with them,” said Hengst.

There are many ways for a student to promote themselves and their brand during this event. In order to be successful, students should dress professionally, bring resumes and business cards, do their research on the company they’re interested in, check third-party sites like Glassdoor, practice presenting themselves and coming into the career fair confidently.

The Career Services office has a computer lab for any students who may not have a professional resume ready. Students may design and print their resume then have it reviewed by a career professional if needed.

Some students may not have the money to buy a new professional outfit, but they can rent one cheaply in the Career Services office. There are dressing rooms available for students and a variety of sizes, so they have plenty to choose from in presenting themselves to potential employers.

 Hengst hopes more students will feel comfortable attending this event. She said promoting their individual brand will be important during this fair.

 “I hope students get more confident in getting out there and talking to employers,” said Hengst.

 There will be no cost of entry for this event. Students will only need to swipe their IDs upon entering.

Career services announce mass communication fair and gives helpful tips

Photo taken by: Ben Blanton

By: Ben Blanton

Bjb158@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State students pursuing a mass communications degree will show their talents to potential employers. This Thursday in the LBJ Student Center from noon until 4 p.m.

The mass communication career fair will host 19 registered employers, those of whom are hiring for internships, part time positions and full time positions. Entry is free; students need only swipe their ID’s to attend.

Nicole Hengst, lecturer in School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State, said the fair gives students the chance to gain connections in the workforce, as well as to see if students are interested in that particular field of work.

“Events like this are a great way to meet somebody, to actually look them in the eye, shake their hand and begin a relationship with them.” Hengst said.

Hengst said students, particularly ones attending the career fair for the first time, might be nervous. Hengst compiled a few tips to help future communications professionals overcome their jitters.

“One tip I always tell my students, look beyond the companies landing page, look for the company’s mission,” Hengst said.

Dress code is an important part of the career fair, Hengst said. If students don’t have disposable money to buy professional clothing, they can utilize the career closet. Students are able to rent clothes for cheap.

“There’s a large selection for all shapes and sizes and there’s even fitting rooms, so you’re not just taking what you can get, you’re finding an outfit that makes you comfortable and confident,” Hengst said.

The mass communication career fair, held once per semester, historically has been well attended. All students are encouraged to attend, not just mass communication students.

Mass Communication Career Fair to Bring Job Opportunities for Students

By Rachel Lauten

ral121@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State’s Career Services announced the upcoming Mass Communications Career Fair that is occurring Thurs. Feb. 22, in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom from noon – 4 p.m.

Photo by: Rachel Lauten

Nicole Hengst, lecturer from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, spoke about the upcoming career fair. There will be many employers present hiring for internships, part-time and full-time positions. She talked about some tips to help students during the time being. She said that students should dress business casual or business formal, bring multiple resumes, research companies, practice presenting oneself, come in confidently and utilize Career Services. Students could ask questions to help them during the career fair on Thursday.

Hengst said students should build a relationship with the employers that will be present at the fair.

“We know that students are often really nervous to attend an event like this, especially for the first time,” said Hengst.

Students are encouraged to speak to employers but should be aware of not holding the employer’s booth up too long and to know when a good time to move on, even if the conversation is going well.

Hengst said to give an elevator pitch and explain how valuable the student should be to the company.

“This should be short, a 30-second statement about who you are, what you can offer the company… you have experience within your classes and you have new ideas and solutions to bring to the table,” said Hengst.

All alumni and students are welcome with no cost; show up with a student id or for alumni remember your id number or bring a driver’s license.

Mass Communication Career Fair for current bobcats and alumni

Nicole Hengst (Photo Credit: Shelley Kellar)

By: Shelley Kellar

s_k194@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas – On Thursday, from noon to 4 p.m., Career Services is holding a Mass Communication Career Fair for current students and alumni located in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.

Nicole Hengst, a lecturer at Texas State University in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, held a press conference regarding important details for those interested in attending the upcoming career fair. This event provides students with the opportunity to meet employers from various radio, television, PR and other communication providers who will be seeking summer interns, part-time and full-time employees.

Hengst said there would be no cost associated with entry; however, all students would need to swipe their ID’s and alumni would need to show proof of driver license or remember their prior student ID number.

“We know that students are often really nervous to attend an event like this especially for the first time so we have put together a few tips for success we would like to share with you guys,” said Hengst.

The tips included dressing professionally, bringing multiple resumes and business cards, researching the companies attending the fair prior to attendance and utilizing the Career Services resources.

Hengst said contacting Career Services early is a good idea because of the resources available such as resume templates and mock interviews by a career counselor.

“Currently there are 19 employers registered, but it is not at all uncommon for employers to register late because they are figuring out what positions they will actually have available at the time and their own staffing needs,” said Hengst.

A complete list of employers attending this event will be available in Jobs4Cats or by downloading the Career Fair App and searching "TX State Career Fair Plus" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Hengst said there was a lot for students to learn from attending the career fairs.

“I really hope that students get more confident getting out there and talking to employers. Even if you don’t land an internship or one of these jobs from the fair, it’s just about getting more confident, talking to people, presenting yourself and really promoting your own brand so that when it is time to land that full-time job, if you are a little bit younger, you are more confident and ready to do that,” said Hengst.

For more information students and alumni may visit the Career Services website.