150 Job Seekers Attend WCU-Ontario Nursing Career Fair

About 150 West Coast University students and BSN graduates attended the most recent career fair at WCU-Ontario.

More than 20 healthcare recruiters worked the event, which included an hour-long VIP session where BSN grads with their RN license got to speak first with employers.

Mercedes Hendricks, a senior career services specialist at WCU-Ontario, said students normally practice interview skills with the Career Services staff beforehand to get a better idea of how to speak to an employer and what type of questions they could hear.

“The hardest thing I would say for a student would be not knowing what to say, especially on those ‘tell me about yourself’ questions,” Hendricks said. “You have to make sure that that you’re able to answer that question really well.”

Hendricks also suggested students and graduates wear a suit for interviews and dress to impress because some recruiters were looking to hire directly from the career fair.

“It is very possible that students can have a job today,” she said. “We actually have one employer here right now that is actively looking to hire today.”

Less than two years after her RN pinning ceremony, Maria Andrade was back on campus as the director of nursing at Grapevine Home Health. She said she was proud of her West Coast University education and knows exactly what she’s getting when she interviews their BSN grads.

“I want to say I have 10 West Coast grads on staff — some that are full-time, some part-time with me,” Andrade said. “I hired them myself.”

But Career Services’ work in not done, once an alum gets hired. Hendricks said the services her department offers are ongoing, regardless of graduation date.

“The one main thing what I would like for graduates and students to know about Career Services is that were always going to be here for them. We’re always going to be supporting them, whether it’s for their first or their second or third job, will be here to support them in their career goals,” she said.

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.