Career Services hosted the annual Health Career Fair last Wednesday and brought over 60 employers from in and out of the state for students to explore their career options after graduation.
The fair, held in the Student Center Ballroom, focused on students majoring in speech, physical and occupational therapy, as well as speech-language pathology and nursing.
Employers distributed small incentive gifts, fliers, pamphlets and business cards to interested students.
Kathy Clayborn, director of Career Services and Cooperative Education, said the Health Career Fair is a great opportunity for students to meet and greet employers and get job opportunities.
“It is not unusual for our health majors to get four or five job offers as a result of attending the career fair,” Clayborn said.
Some of the business employers are UCA alumni.
“Many UCA graduates present were hired through a career fair and they are coming back to recruit students here,” Clayborn said.
UCA alumna Deandria Bass, a certified rehabilitation counselor for the Arkansas Department of Career Education, said she remembered going to a career fair and thinks it is important for students to be aware of their options.
“Students don’t know all the options they have that revolve around the degree they have,” Bass said. “If you like free money, come see us. We provide tuition assistance and will help you find a job.”
Last year, two students were hired and now work in Midsouth Rehab Services, an outpatient clinic covering Central and Northern Arkansas, Bass said.
Barbara McCrory, the Regional Clinical Director, said she made a lot of contacts for part-time help as well.
“I find that UCA has outstanding students in the occupational therapy field,” McCrory said.
Students were able to meet employers and leave their resumes.
Jessica Bisbee, a graduate in Occupational Therapy, said she was looking for a job opportunity and was keeping her options open.
Stephanie Sisk, employee coordinator for White River Health System based in Batesville, encouraged students to expose themselves to the growing field that allows for a flexible lifestyle.
“There is always going to be a demand for careers in health care, so the opportunities are endless,” Sisk said.
When hiring someone, Sisk said she looks for someone with an attitude that fits the organization since skills can be learned but finding someone with a positive view is more difficult to find.
Easter Seals, a non-profit disability services organization, was present at the Health Career Fair. Fliers were available where 11 job openings were promoted, among them an occupational therapist, physical therapist and a behavior specialist.
“Most of the occupational and physical therapy majors graduate in May or August so we keep their resumes on file and contact them when the time is right,” Brandy Ward, human resources generalist, said.
Rhoda Transue, human resources representative for Hillcrest Medical Center, attended the fair from Tulsa, Okla. and said that they have been attending UCA’s career fairs for over five years.
Employers gave students the option to fill an application online.
Graduate student Haylee Fresneda said the Health Career Fair helped her get her resume out to employers.
“I am looking for a pediatric job but there are other opportunities here as well,” Fresneda said.
The Health Career Fair focused on the following majors: occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, kinesiology, nursing, and family and consumer science.
The Career Fair, which focuses on all other majors, will be held today from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom.