Recruiting at College Career Fairs
By Christy Ball, human resources recruiter
College career fairs are a great way for the recruiting department to connect with soon-to-be college graduates in the fields of forestry, natural resources, environmental science, and other related fields. It is an opportunity to increase our brand awareness and interact with students so they can learn about us and a career in utility forestry. As a recruiter for ACRT, I love speaking with the students about the many opportunities we have from coast to coast, talking about the company and the importance of what we do. Even if it has been a couple of years since they graduated from college, applicants have told me they first learned about ACRT from a representative who visited their campus.
In March 2020, most colleges and universities canceled their in-person career fairs in favor of virtual career fairs. Although virtual career fairs had the advantage of convenience and flexibility, they lacked the attendance and the connection you can get with students when being face to face. This past spring, many schools welcomed companies back on campus for recruitment events. We were able to speak to students at West Virginia University, Virginia Tech, Penn State University, University of Florida, and Texas A&M University, in addition to attending virtual events at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Alabama A&M University.
College students want to know about career opportunities, potential growth within the company, company culture, training opportunities, and why they should choose our company to start their careers. But by far, the number one question asked is about internship opportunities. Because of this, ACRT hosted three college students for an eight-week internship during the summer of 2022, allowing the interns to work with foresters and biologists in Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts.
Soon the fall career fair season will begin, kicking off in mid-September at West Virginia University. In addition, ACRT will be represented at career fairs at the University of Georgia, Oklahoma State University, University of Tulsa, North Carolina State University, Alabama A&M, Stephen F. Austin University, and the University of Tennessee.
