Over 40 companies to scout students

While many view getting an internship as important, some students are not sure how to begin looking.

The 10th Annual JMU Internship Fair will be held at the College Center Grand Ballroom today from 9 to 11:30 a.m., and will include recruiters from over 40 national companies.

There will be an afternoon session available from 12:20 to 4:50 p.m. for students to conduct interviews with prospective employers.

Some of the companies that will be attending the fair are Wolftrap, America Online, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, The Homestead and Kohl’s, according to Amy Sirocky-Meck, academic and career adviser. 

There also are many ways students can prepare themselves for an interview situation.

"Students should be able to communicate their background and explain the skills they have acquired through classes," Morsch said. "Knowing their goals and what they want to get out of the internship is also very important when talking with an employer — you want to have an intelligent conversation."

Internships serve as an important way for students to find out if they like a field enough to pursue it after graduation, acccording to Sirocky-Meck.

"Students essentially have an opportunity to try on a job and see if it fits," Sirocky-Meck said. 
Morsch said, "In general, internships are very helpful because they put students ahead of the game in terms of knowing what they want in a job."

For more information about the fair or on how to prepare for an interview, visit the internship fair Web site at www.jmu.edu/internfair.com.