Students, staff, faculty, and employers had a chance to gather at StFX recently to network and talk about careers and opportunities during the 4th annual Making the Career Connection event.

The event, held Sept. 28, 2011, allows students to meet professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Both local and national employers, and graduate and professional schools were among the 27 exhibitors present at the career fair.

Over 350 students visited the fair, and comments from both students and career representatives were positive and enthusiastic.  One employer stated that it was great to “meet eager students and learn about their expectations for companies,” while students stated the employers were “dynamic and interesting,” and that they appreciated the “opportunity of meeting employers, and getting exposure to new areas of career opportunities.” 

The event concluded with over 120 students and employers attending the Networking Dinner at the Keating Centre. Jim Shaw, a StFX business graduate and owner of the Tim Horton’s/Wendy’s in Pictou County, directed his eight-point keynote  speech to the students in the audience, speaking about his experiences and how to be successful in today’s labour market. 

Students also took advantage of the chance to connect with employers and gain valuable career insight through the evening’s speed networking activity.

Aleksandr Stabenow, a fourth year business student, was this year’s winner of the X-Ring, which was sponsored by Grant Thornton.  Ben Cormier, a third-year information systems student, won the MCC event Blackberry Playbook draw, sponsored by AA Munro Insurance. Fourth-year business student Carolyn Reid, won the Career Fair prize, a $100 gift certificate to the Campus Store.

The MCC organizing committee would like to thank the many generous sponsors who helped make the event such a success, including major event sponsor, CMA Nova Scotia, as well as X-Ring sponsor, Grant Thornton, AA Munro Insurance for the Blackberry Playbook draw, and Homeward Inns of Canada, which sponsored student dinner tickets. They also extended thanks to business student Ashley Pettipas for the evening's photography, and to Sodexo for the catering.  
 
The Making the Career Connection event is organized by Jackie Knocton and Paula Brophy from the  StFX Enterprise Development Centre (XEDC), and Jane MacDonald, Mary Hawa Turay and Trudy Delorey from the StFX’s Co-operative Education Program and Student Career Centre.  The committee is already looking forward to planning the 2012 event.