The annual Edwards Networking Event was held January 25^th and 26^th 2012, hosted once again by Edwards Career Services.  The event brought in representatives from 54 organizations, all looking to connect with our business students.

Director of Edwards Career Services Brent Wellman says the event is more than just a career fair. “I want students to engage with the business community. Opportunities arise from engaging and networking with people, so that’s our mission. That’s what we want to accomplish.”

Ranvir Uppal is a fourth year finance major at Edwards and says taking advantage of the Networking Event in previous years has benefited him now that he’s looking to start his career. “You see a familiar face here and they might recognize you, or at least you have something to go on from last year - a conversation you remember.”

He recommends Edwards students start attending the event in second and even first year.  “They should come browse and get an idea of what’s out there. Get comfortable so that when it comes time to actually look for a job, it’s not something that’s really scary for you because you’ve done it before. That’s what really helped me.”

First year student Colby McClelland is sure he’ll continue to attend the Networking Event each year he’s in school, and has already taken steps toward his future career path. “I love talking to different businesses and networking,” he says. “I ask them what positions they have in the company, and about bonuses just to learn what my options are in the outside world.”

For Hilary Carlson, another student, the event was both a volunteering opportunity and the chance to research her choice in major. “I was considering marketing before this event and, after talking to professionals in that field, I realized there’s plenty of opportunity and diversity with getting a marketing degree,” she says.

Cervus Equipment Corporation is one of the local businesses that’s participated in the event for several years. “We’ve had a lot of great hires through this event and it’s always good to network with students,” says Human Resources Representative Morgan Knezacek. She adds that bringing a resume to the event is the best thing students can do. “They should bring a resume in and let us know what their career goals are, what industry they want to be in and what they’re passionate about because once they figure that out, we can help them as employers to get where they need to go.”

Mosaic Potash Colonsay exhibited at the Networking Event for the first time this year, although Human Resources Manager Erika Fox has been connected to the school in other capacities. “I’ve worked with the Edwards School of Business previously and I’m a huge supporter,” she says. “I love the co-op program and I think the Networking Event is really great for students and employers too. I wanted Mosaic to have a presence and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”