It takes just a few minutes to realize the the annual spring career fair at Savannah College of Art and Design’s Atlanta campus is a bit different.
There’s no frantic maneuvering by students to pitch their resumes to as many employers as possible in the short time frame usually allowed during other fairs. Gone are the dark pants and skirt suits usually worn by students looking for work. And most telling, the atmosphere seems stress-free.
The annual Out to Launch event turns the traditional job fair experience on its head. Instead of students shopping their marketable skills from employer booth to employer booth, employers do the shopping.
This year’s event featured 93 graduating seniors and graduate students, selected by their department directors, organized into four long rows based on their area of study, displaying the best work of their college careers. The reverse-job-fair format allows more time for discussions between students and potential employers, and allows for a more relaxed atmosphere.
The Out to Launch idea, started by two SCAD Atlanta staffers eight years ago, grew out of feedback from Atlanta companies. After years of traditional job fairs, employers said they wanted an opportunity for more interaction with students, said co-founders Lynn Barrett, director of the college’s career and alumni success office, and Judy Salzinger, program coordinator of SCAD Atlanta’s advertising department.
And students like the opportunity to market themselves.
“Traditional fairs are stressful; this allows you to show your work and better express yourself,” said Eduardo Rivero, 30, a graduate student majoring in advertising. And beyond the jobs, said Rivero, who previously worked for Disney, the Launch event is a great opportunity to casually network and build professional contacts.
Mae Gurene, lead photographer and marketing manager for The Whitaker Group, attended the fair looking for job prospects in areas including graphic design and photography. For her, the Launch event not only provides an opportunity to see applicants’ best work but also to measure soft skills such as communication and leadership.
“This helps make the interview process better,” she said. “You can see who has the necessary communication skills, who speaks up, who will be able to communicate their ideas if they are selected to work for a company.”
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