Nearly 150 BSN students and grads took part at the latest career fair at West Coast University-Orange County.

Lucy Serrano, a recent BSN graduate, said she handed out her résumé to several recruiters at the event, including Hoag, CHOC, Whittier Medical Center, UCI and a few skilled nursing facilities. Serrano said the help she received prior to the career fair from Career Services was invaluable.

WCU-OC Career Fair Nursing Recruiter Attendees

All Season’s Hospice All’s Well Healthcare Services Beverly Hospital CHOC Children’s College Hospital Long Beach Davita Dialysis Greater El Monte Community Hospital – AHMC Hoag Hospital Intercommunity Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center Living Well LA County Sheriff’s Department Martin Luther King Community Hospital

Memorial Hospital of Gardena Navy Recruiting District – LA Medical Programs Orange County Global Medical Center Promise Hospital of East LA Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Dimas Community Hospital Senior Helpers Shea Rehabilitation Center UC Irvine Temporary Employment Services WCCT Global Whittier Hospital – AHMC Windsor Gardens Long Beach

“Career Services is awesome. They are my No. 1 resource. Every time I email them or ask a question they’re very quick with their response. I feel like they’ve prepared me 100 percent. They looked over my résumé, told me what I should tweak. They looked over my cover letter and I feel like they are the best,” Serrano said. “They really have helped me prepare for today and I feel confident handing my résumé to any of these employers because I know that it’s done correctly because Career Services has looked over it.”

WCU-OC Career Services Director Ann Marie Rivera said nearly half of the people attending the career fair were alumni looking for their first job, or — like recent WCU-OC graduate Eunice Apon — their next job.

Apon worked full-time while at school, first at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, then at Community Hospital of Long Beach while earning her BSN.

Apon said she attended the career fair to meet recruiters face-to-face and not just by a computer.

“Nursing school went by so fast for me. I didn’t think I could be where I am right now. It’s such an amazing feeling,” Apon said.” I think my advice for everybody would just be, ‘Take it in and really just keep your focus. Don’t give up.’ It’s going to get harder throughout the program but just keep going and don’t stop.”

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.