Pitt Business e-newsletter Issue 12, November 2008
CBA Career Conference Attracts Record Attendance
Marketing student Max Harleman from Kunkletown, Pa. meets with a recruiter from Eli Lily at the CBA Career Conference. Max is also completing a Certificate in International Business.
On Friday, September 19, the College of Business Administration's Career and Leadership Development Center (CLDC) hosted the 2008 CBA Career Conference at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. The program was made possible through the support of ALDI Inc., Ernst & Young, KPMG International, PricewaterhouseCoopers, PNC Financial Services Group, and United States Steel Corporation.
The Career Conference was attended by more than 500 CBA students, which set a record for the program. More than 70 professionals representing 40 diverse companies were also in attendance. Having outgrown its previous location in Oakland, the Career Conference was held in downtown Pittsburgh for the first time. Students were shuttled on buses from CBA's home, Sennott Square, to the conference site—some students lined up for shuttles as early as 6:45 a.m.
The Career Conference was run in the style of a professional conference, with a number of sessions occurring simultaneously. The advantage for students was having the flexibility to pick and choose the sessions they wanted to attend, whether they hoped to explore a variety of areas or focus solely on one industry. Through industry panels students were able to learn about different fields such as accounting, finance, management, and marketing and sales. The panel discussions allowed students to interact with representatives from companies within an industry of interest and to hear about the qualities generally sought in prospective interns and permanent hires across the industry.
Professional development workshops were also offered and were facilitated by the company representatives. Featured workshops included sessions The Three Stages of an Interview, The Ethical Compass - Ethics and Integrity in Business, More than Eating with the Right Fork, Career Enhancement through Networking, First Impressions, and Transitioning from School to Work.
Other program highlights were a networking luncheon and an informational fair. These activities provided students with ample time to speak one-on-one with corporate representatives about specific opportunities at their firms.
The Career Conference provided an excellent opportunity for all CBA students to develop professionally, connect with companies, and learn about internships and full-time positions. "The program takes an educational approach," says J.P. Matychak, CLDC director. "For example, a freshman who attends the conference will be able to learn about the opportunities available at different companies, what's required for them, and how to work toward preparing for the most competitive internship opportunities in the future."
