Networking Event at PVCC

Liberty Anderson, staff writer

On Thursday, Oct. 18, PVCC held a career networking event. According to Career Services Manager Andre Luck, the goal is “to connect students with employers and job opportunities.” It is a great start to a professional life, learning new skills to help get a job in the future.

This was the second time PVCC has held a career networking event. This time it was twice the size as it was in the Spring, according to Luck, becoming more successful and helping more students to improve their networking skills. We had 11 different employers visit, including: UVA Medical, Hantzmon Wiebel Accounting Firm, Hospice of the Piedmont, Goodwin William Staffing, PMA USA, Virginia Lube, Millennium Security, Mutual of Omaha, Murray Enterprises, JABA-Jefferson Area Board for Aging, and Service Corporation International.

PVCC provided each employer with handouts for interview skills and how to improve a resume. These handouts were shared with the students looking to improve in that area. Most of these employers were looking to hire new employees.

This event has been geared towards and was originally created for the business students, although everyone was welcome to come. Those who came brought their resume and had the equivalent of a job interview. Gaining practical interview experience in a learning environment.

Before the event, students could set up an appointment with the employers they wished to meet with. If they did not sign up, they could still come, but they might have to wait before they could meet with anyone. When attendees met with someone, it was typically one on one or two on one. The employers were all more than happy to answer  questions.

Throughout the room, you could observe the professional boundaries between employers and students, shaking hands and not interrupting one another. While the room filled with conversation, it was still quiet. No one overpowered the room; it allowed everyone to have a quality conversation.