The University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point will be hosting Central Wisconsin’s Collegiate Job Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 26 in the Laird room of the DUC from noon to 4 p.m. The job fair is also being sponsored by UW Marshfield/Wood County, Mid State Technical College, and UW Marathon County.

This is the 12th year that the Collegiate Job Fair has been going on and is a way for students to interact with employers offering intern and career level opportunities.

Lorry Walters, the associate director of Career Services, thinks that this is a great way for students to connect with employers throughout Wisconsin who are interested in hiring graduates and continuing students.

“There will be 55 different employers there for four hours, and it’s not just central Wisconsin. There will be people from throughout the state coming from Milwaukee, Madison and the Fox Valley, and we also have employers coming from Minneapolis,” Walters said.

Students from other universities are also encouraged to come.

“It’s for our students, but it’s not limited to them. It’s open to currently enrolled students and students who have graduated. We bring in employers who know that that’s the target population and tell them that it’s for intern and career level opportunities,” Walters said.

After the job fair, Career Services will also be holding Alumni Speed Networking. This is an opportunity for students to interact with UWSP alumni and make connections with people who are working in several different disciplines. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the DUC, and the cost will be $3 at the door.

“It’s a first-come, first-serve type of event, where students will each get to talk to the different alums for a few minutes. An RSVP is required, so students should sign up now,” Walters said.

The keynote speaker will be Nora Boomer, who graduated from UWSP in 2003 and is now working in Human Resources at Ministry Health Care. Others joining the event will include: Holly Busse, who graduated in 2002 and is now a second grade teacher; Susan Heikkinen, who graduated in 1965 and is a business owner in interior Design; and Grant Winslow, who graduated in 1989 and works at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Walters enjoys interactions with students and being able to help them, but she also enjoys interactions with her fellow employers.

“Being able to connect those two populations is special and rewarding, and this event is one way I can do that. It’s neat to be able to get people thinking about what they want to be doing after college,” Walters said.