EMU Today

YPSILANTI—Eastern Michigan University is hosting the 2017 Government & Nonprofit Career & Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 8., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the EMU Student Center Ballroom at 900 Oakwood St.

More than 50 employers are participating in the Career & Volunteer Fair, giving EMU students and alumni the opportunity to connect with local, state and federal government agencies as well as local, regional and national nonprofit organizations.

“We have 53 employers attending the career fair and we have never had that many employers at the fair before,” said April Calkovsky, career coach and certified federal advisor at EMU. “We have employers from county and city government, a lot non-profits from social services areas, health services areas and education areas.”

These organizations may be offering volunteer, paid and unpaid internships, part-time employment positions and full-time employment opportunities. A career in the public sector – with a government agency or nonprofit organization – ranges greatly and any major or degree level can find purpose in public sector employment.

“The value of the career fair is that you’re meeting an employer face-to-face and making that connection so when you apply online they pull your application sooner instead of it getting lost in an application system,” said Calkovsky.

A presentation and a panel discussion will be held before and after the Career & Volunteer Fair.

From 12-1 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium the State of Michigan Civil Service Commission will present tips on how to find and apply for state government jobs.

Angela Shelby, statewide requirement coordinator, will walk attendees through the state of Michigan’s application system for government jobs and internships. The presentation aims to help applicants understand the system completely to increase their chances at being hired while maximizing their resume and cover letter.

From 5:30-7 p.m. the Social Justice Panel will provide a forum to talk about work in the social justice field, including: basic needs; human rights; food security; education rights; environmental rights; institutional racism; and issues with income and education disparity.

The panel will feature the following organizations: Teach for America; Peace Corps; AmeriCorps; City Year; and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Members of the Social Justice Panel will also discuss what kind of work they do and how to become part of their organizations.

There is no cost to attend the event, but the Career & Volunteer Fair is only open to EMU students and alumni.

“If you have any interest in becoming a part of the public sector, giving back to the community and bringing together a stronger community, this is the fair for you,” said Calkovsky.

Participants should dress in business attire, have multiple copies of their resume available for employers, review the list of agencies registered for the fair and follow up with any agencies that indicate to do so.

Students and alumni are encouraged to download The Fairs App because it has information on organizations at the fair, positions and majors an organization is hiring for, their website as well as a map. The Fairs App is free to download and available on Android and IOS operating systems, or students can visit handshake.emich.edu for more information on the event.

A ready room area will be available to practice handshakes and introductions, research employers, have dress attire checked and a LinkedIn photo taken if needed.

The University Advising and Career Development Center, the VISION Volunteer Center, and the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance are the sponsors of the event.

To learn more about careers in the public sector or particular agencies, contact April Calkovsky, career coach and certified federal advisor in the University Advising and Career Development Center at EMU. Calkovsky can be reached at acalkovs@emich.edu or 734-487-0400.