Students seeking employment in nonprofit fields attended the second annual career fair for nonprofit organizations last Friday. Though only about 1,000 students attended from the 1,200 who pre-registered, organizers said they were satisfied with the event, citing rain and traffic accidents as deterrents.
The fair was organized by www.idealist.org, a member of Action without Borders, an international network of organizations and individuals working in the nonprofit sector. Career Services, the University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS), and groups from other Boston area universities co-sponsored the event, which attempted to attract students from all over the area.
Students encountered a variety of nonprofit organizations at the fair, ranging from the Peace Corps to the American Heart Association. Attendees with hopes of finding a job agreed that the event was a good outlet for nonprofit organizations seeking both long-term and summer volunteer hires.
"Knowing that I'll become an unemployed graduate in nearly a month I thought I'd attempt to rectify the situation," senior Roger Winn said. "The career fair seemed like the place to do it. Sometimes getting into the nonprofit sector can be difficult if you don't know where to look, and this gives people a place to begin looking."
Recruiters were enthusiastic about the event, pointing out that it is the only one of its type in Boston. "This is a great fair. We're always swamped with people; it's very fruitful for us," Peace Corps recruiter Liz Demarest said.
She said nonprofit fairs attract people already interested in the nonprofit sector, as opposed to the typical career fair that attracts many students looking for high-paying jobs. Most representatives present felt the event was a productive way of attracting interested people to relevant organizations.
"Helping students connect with meaningful nonprofit opportunities is one approach to foster a lifelong exploration of active citizenship. There are also opportunities in the corporate sector - with 8,000 students, it is important to give the student body exposure to all kinds of career opportunities," UCCPS Student Leadership Programs Director Carey Levitt said.
Idealist.org Career Coordinator Emma Kalonzo was pleased with the event and said there was a positive response from Tufts students.
