Marketing U gives TWU students a chance to network
February 20, 2008
Michelle Jonker
The pressure of planning for life after graduation has not left fourth-year Human Services student Lauren Williams unscathed. For her, the process of figuring out a plan for the summer and the school year post-degree caused her to feel an array of emotions, leaving her “uneasy, stressed and anxious.” As time wore on, she came to the realization that she needed to make some serious decisions.
This resulted in her plan to travel overseas for a couple months and then pack her books for grad school at Fresno State in January.
Williams speaks for many graduating students when she said that “transition is hard for anyone and there are a lot of big decisions to be made.” Senior year, she says, is full of the anticipation of imminent change.
Williams’ concerns are common among seniors as they look to the future and decipher how they wish to spend it. In order to ease the process, the combined forces of Trinity Wester University Alumni, the Centre for Life Calling and Career Development and the Student Business Association created Marketing U, which took place Tuesday, February 19.
Marketing U underwent a facelift this year, changing a few details from last year’s inaugural event. This year the venue was in the main cafeteria, which made the event more accessible to students on campus and simpler for commuters to locate. Hosting the event on campus also “exposes our campus to employers and allows them to see our resources,” said Anita Oduro, one of the event’s organizers. Unlike last year, this event was offered free of charge to attract more students.
This event seeks to keep alumni connected with the university, benefiting both TWU alumni and the current students as it develops a community that extends beyond the physical campus of the university.
The event organizers’ desire was to offer time for students to learn to network. Students were asked to bring resumes, cover letters and self-confidence as they met with potential employers. Oduro recognizes the importance of students being “well connected with alumni and employers” for finding a successful career. At the very least, she said, Marketing U is a chance for TWU students to see what types of jobs they could apply their degree to.
Students who attended the event were taught about how to “sell themselves,” a skill Oduro sees as “basic, but essential for success in life.”
Over 20 employers such as KNV Chartered Accountants, Southwestern Company, Providence Healthcare, MNP and Smart Savvy were invited to the event.
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