Mica Magday

Students stop by and with engage with the In-n-Out recruitment officer at her table.

Texas Wesleyan hosted a career fair yesterday for students to network with recruiters and explore different career and/or internship opportunities. Although the next fair will not happen until next semester,  students can begin to implement the following tips two recruiters shared with the Rambler.  

The first recruitment officer was Lindsey Trammell with the University of Arlington (UTA), who jokingly talked about the students who ignore her when they walk up to her table.  

“Network, even though you don’t want to! I’ll have people walk up and take items and run,” Trammell said and laughed. “We have goodies here, yes, but if you’re going to come over and grab a pin, make eye contact with me, and I’ll talk to you.”  

Trammell explained that even though she isn’t a fan of networking, she understands that it allows her to learn from her peers’ experience, discover job opportunities she hadn’t previously heard of and build her communication skills.

Trammell who work for Texas Wesleyan for years before transferring to UTA, is  familiar with the programs Career Services provides.  

“I’ve worked with them, I know them personally and love them,” Trammell said. “Take advantage of everything that Texas Wesleyan has to offer [because] your career services team is amazing.” 

She emphasized that these programs are made to serve and grow students and their future, whether they are undergraduate, graduate or non-traditional.   

“You are so valuable,” Trammell said. “That’s why I work in higher education. We want to make sure we’re building you up because you are our future. And if we are not providing all these opportunities for y’all, then what are we doing?” 

Daniel Smiley, the recruiter and talent acquisition specialist for Dickies Arena, offers career coaching on his Instagram and TikTok. He was ready to provide advice for university students, starting by sharing advice he would give to his younger self.  

“Keep your mind wide open and explore as much as possible,” he said. “Because the thing that you’re doing right now may not be the thing you’re doing 25 years from now. Just stay open — that’s what I would tell my younger self.” 

He continued by explaining how lack of research of the company or not knowing how to market your skills to the company can negatively affect applicants. 

“The red flag is when people come to apply for a job and they have no idea about the problem they are willing to solve for an organization,” he said. “Look into the company and what they need, that makes you marketable.”

Smiley also pointed out that the candidates who stood out the most were the loudest.  

“The secret to being successful will be found and your ability to talk to people that you don’t know,” he said. “To tell them the things that they don’t know about you, so they can learn how you can be a solution to their problem.” 

Other recruitment officers at nearby tables would also chime in to emphasize the importance of starting the job search early to know exactly what is wanted, so when they attend job fairs, they can articulate the kind of position they want to hold. 

Senior criminal justice major Raleigh Denton also encourages students to attend the job fair despite what year they are in the university.  

“These are wonderful places to start looking,” Denton said. “The FBI’s here, companies for Mental Health and even In-n-Out is here. It’s just a good way to get out there and start thinking [about your future].” 

She further emphasized the importance of exploring campus events and opportunities that can enhance the overall college experience. 

“Get out there, don’t just hide yourself away,” Denton said. “Even if it’s just sitting in the library, you’re experiencing that community of what this school is. It’s a good way to not be cooped up and get that sense of self.”