Students majoring in biology, outdoor recreation and natural science were welcomed warmly by employers who scouted out Colorado Mesa University (CMU) students at the recent Natural Resource Job Fair.
Students were invited via emails and advertisements to bring their resumes and come check out the event in the University Center (UC) Meyer Ballroom on Feb. 5, between 3p.m. and 5p.m.
“The Natural Resources Job Fair is more related to environmental type majors, biology majors and science majors,” said Events Student Worker Sada Bond. “We bring in a bunch of different professionals from the field and they can work with students and allow them to create those connections in the event that they are hiring for opportunities, so that students can just hop into those opportunities and have a start-up in their career.”
Employing organizations at the event included the Bureau of Land Management, the Colorado State Forest Service and Ute Water Conservancy District, among others.
Each employer had a table set up in the Meyer Ballroom with a few representatives present to inform students who might be interested in recruitment about their respective organizations.
Students were able to approach these tables, introduce themselves and ask any questions they may have had about job openings and career advancement opportunities.
This direct engagement allowed attendees to make lasting connections, as well as to gain insights into the culture of the careers in which they are studying to go into.
For many students, having a face-to-face conversation with professionals in their industry of interest provides a chance for clarity regarding the essential skills for their chosen career path.
“We hire students who are enrolled in continuing education at an accredited institution into summer positions. We employ them all summer long, full-time, 40 hours a week in various positions,” said Human Resources/Risk Specialist for Ute Water Conservancy District Nikki Dalpiaz. “We have a great partnership with CMU and we do have a lot of CMU graduates in our workforce, so we like to come out and support these events and see if we can find some good employees.”
Students come to this job fair every semester to seek out opportunities not just for full-time employment, but also internships, networking connections and apprenticeships.
The goal is to provide opportunities for students who want to get hands-on experience in their field, as well as for employers who are looking for fresh talent.
Many employers also return each semester, having recruited numerous CMU students and graduates through the same event.
The event was sponsored by the Career Services along with the CMU Fish and Wildlife Club. CMU offers a wide variety of resources through Career Services, located in the UC.
They offer meetings with students concerning building professional resumes, job searching, preparing for job interviews and more. They also host numerous other events, such as the more general On-Campus Job Fair, Industry Hour and resume workshops. These services are available to all students, regardless of major and year.
Students can also meet with their department’s faculty advisors to determine possible internships that can count for academic credit, as well as to map out potential future employment and networking opportunities.
Faculty advisors can also help students identify which employers align with their career goals and provide guidance in related areas.
Besides CMU’s on-campus opportunities, Career Services also works with the Mesa County Workforce Center (MCWFC), which hosts numerous events accessible to students and those looking for employment local to the area.
Some of these events include virtual job searching workshops, hiring events and job fairs.
By actively engaging with potential employers, building strong resumes and taking advantage of CMU’s resources, students can position themselves for success long before graduation.
Any and all students who are majoring in natural sciences and outdoor-related fields are encouraged to utilize both on and off-campus resources such as these in order to ensure career connections and enhance their futures.
