one component of university education is preparing students for the job market.
most universities hold career fairs for each dept.'s students to expose them to various companies which might be looking for fresh graduates with diff. majors.
when universities arrange such career fairs, the hope is to encourage graduating classes to get get placed at good companies or organizations, eventually through successful job interviews.
when that happens, what role should a professor play?
obviously be able to write a good recommendation for a good student, to the prospective employer.
but when students are not that high achieving, what should be done?
should the career fairs be arranged only for a select students with high grades?
is this fair?
Re: Career fairs at universities: arranged only for high achievers?
I have intervied candidates at university fairs and I can tell you that your college achievement does not play any role what so ever. I have never asked or looked at where the student is compared to everyone else or what courses they may have taken.
What I am looking for is synergy with the job requirements, personality, drive and ability to learn. I do expect potential student to have done homework about my firm, know what we do, who we hire and what we are looking for. I also expect students to ask amart questions about the company and the jobs and their goal should be to get to the next level, i.e. make connection and create network. And in the process if they get a real interview, that's a bonus. I believe professor can help a great deal preparing the students.