York University Career Fair Connects Local Employers With Quality Students

On November 7th, members of York University’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter hosted a career fair that invited 16 different York businesses to meet with graduate and undergraduate students alike. Students could network with business leaders in the community and connect with potential employers.

“It’s not just about getting a job, but it’s also about making connections,” says Diego Korol, a graduate student and collegiate sponsor of FBLA.

This event was the result of direct collaboration between the school, community leaders, and the York County Development Corporation (YCDC). Students were able to share their resumes and learn about opportunities from local businesses, while employers offered direct feedback on what they need from future candidates. 

York Students Come Prepared for the Career Fair

While students are always eager to meet with employers – especially as they prepare for graduation – they need to learn how to present themselves professionally and develop meaningful connections. Korol, along with Giovanni Froldi, Graduate Assistant, wanted to ensure York students were fully prepared to make the most out of the career fair.

Two weeks before the event, the FBLA students worked with Emily Perry, Development Coordinator for YCDC, to host a Career Day Prep workshop with local community leaders. This gave students the skills and know-how to network successfully at the career fair.

“I am thoroughly impressed with how prepared the York University students were ahead of the career fair,” says Perry. “This commitment to professionalism will help them get jobs after college but it will also make them long-term assets to the companies that hire them.”  

Internally, the FBLA chapter also hosted a resume night before the fair where professors proofread student resumes and offered advice on how they could be improved.

“Some students start thinking about their futures later on in their college careers,” says Korol. “However, many students will also have internships before they graduate. It’s important to start developing your resume early on, even if you aren’t looking for a job yet.”  

Nationally, 41% of undergraduate students participate in internships before graduating. The biggest hurdle preventing students from gaining this valuable experience is finding internships from relevant employers. Career fairs like the one organized by FBLA and YCDC help students meet with employers that they can potentially intern with. 

Local Businesses Are Eager to Return 

While the focus is often on the students who attend career fairs, these events are highly valuable for employers in the area. When local businesses work with York University, they can emphasize the skills and experience they look for in potential candidates. The students can then hone those skills through coursework so they become desirable candidates who are ready to work.

As a whole, the companies that attended this career fair had positive experiences meeting with students. Many want to get more involved with York University.

“We had a few companies that attended the career fair that asked if they could attend other workshops in the future,” says Korol.

Not only does this highlight the caliber of students at York University, but it also reflects the desire of the business community to support these young adults. By collaborating with the university, York businesses are securing their future talent pools. 

There’s a Lot of Opportunity in York

Events like the York University career fair are made possible by passionate students like Korol and  Giovanni Froldi. However, these events thrive when the community is deeply involved. The support of local business owners who attended the fair and the workshops beforehand elevated this event. The collaboration between the students, professors, businesses, and YCDC will ensure that graduates of York University are prepared to enter the local workforce and will thrive in their new roles.

“Even though we live in a small town, there’s a lot of opportunity,” says Korol. “And employers want to keep the talent that York University produces in York.”

To get involved in future career fairs, contact Emily Perry at eperry@yorkdevco.com. You can also join the York County Development Corporation and support this community as members of all industries are Coming Together to Grow.

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