Around 500 students took the chance to chat with potential employers thanks to a Student Careers Fair held at CQUniversity Rockhampton this week (March 22).

Fittingly, they gave themselves a sporting chance of success by visiting the campus sports centre, where representatives of 40 major local, state and national employers were assembled.

Students had plenty of options to explore

The students were able to consider jobs in private and government sectors, including energy, defence, welfare, retail, health, mining, education and business. Employers for Student Careers Fair

Some students from Gladstone, Bundaberg and Mackay travelled to Rockhampton for the day, especially to attend the event. Students were able to mingle among employer displays, or attend employer presentations throughout the day.

Careers Fair organiser Raleigh Wallace said the event gave students the chance to meet with a wide range of prospective employers under the one roof.

"They can find out what graduate programs and opportunities are available to them, check the key graduate attributes sought by employers and start establishing career networks with their associated industries," he said.

Darryl Forday (green shirt) and Andrew Morris explore options with Xstrata

"Employers can gain access to hundreds of students seeking graduate opportunities, while showcasing graduate recruitment programs to students seeking vacation work, workplace integrated learning, internships and graduate vacancy opportunities."

Meanwhile, Academic Registrar Barbara Lawrence said more than 30 employers gathered with University staff the night before the Careers Fair to attend a thought-provoking and stimulating presentation on Work Integrated Learning (WIL), featuring visiting specialist Assoc Prof Janice Orrell.

"Several students and former students also contributed their experiences to the sharing of knowledge during the evening," she said.

"A concept embraced by all who attended was that WIL must be ‘mutually beneficial' and be viewed as an equal partnership. 

Hayley Angell from CPA Australia chats with accounting students Angela Curran and Yang Lei

"There is no doubt, as a result of the Forum, there are more employers willing to engage with CQUniversity in regard to WIL opportunities for students, and a greater level of commitment to this engagement."

Civil engineering student Jack Marwell (stripes) and mechanical engineering student Glen McDonald consider their career pathways 
The event provides a broad view of career choices