WCU-Ontario Career Fair Helps Job Seekers Navigate Tricky Waters Of Landing That First Healthcare Opportunity

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Nearly 200 West Coast University students and graduates got a chance to test the waters at an October career fair in hopes of sailing into their dream job.

Sail Into Your Dream Job

Career Services offers a number of ways for students to learn the ropes when it comes to navigating the tricky waters of finding that first job.

  • Practice talking with employers and interview strategies
  • Ask about new graduate RN training programs
  • Find out when hospitals are accepting applications
  • Talk to recruiters about the units hiring
  • Learn about employer expectations
  • Connect with recruiters after the Career Fair on LinkedIn

“Our focus for this event was on increasing students’ awareness about the importance of meeting and talking to recruiters and health care professionals early in their program,” WCU-Ontario Career Services Director Michelle Meitner said.

Meitner said her goal for the event was to help students learn about recruiter expectations early so they would instantly stand out from other job candidates.

To help prepare students, Career Services senior specialist Mercedes Garner went into the classrooms to discuss the importance of learning what matters to our employer partners such as community service, leadership opportunities, valuable certifications, important association memberships and grade point averages.

Mercedes also talked to the students about why attending the career fair will help them learn what the employers are looking for.

“If students are unaware of the expectations that hospitals have for them, they won’t stand out as ideal candidates,” Meitner said.

As a result, Meitner said, the October event was WCU-Ontario’s highest attended career fair, with 160 students and graduates attending. Many professors and instructors also brought their newer students to interact with employers early in the program.

Three days after the career fair, WCU clinical partner Victor Valley Global Medical Center hosted an event with students they met on campus and ultimately hired four WCU new graduates. Additionally, VVGMC hosted another a second meet and greet later in the month, and the Career Services department is eagerly awaiting the outcomes from that event.

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.