By Erin Melwing

Students looking for job opportunities and tips on how to build successful careers can attend several events beginning today and leading up to UK’s 2007 Business Career Fair.

“At the career center, we believe career development is a process,” said Azetta Williams, project manager and assistant director of the career center. “Start early looking for a job. If you’re a freshman, go start networking now for the job you want one day.”

The events planned by the James W. Stuckert Career Center are aimed at helping students learn about job opportunities and network with potential employers, Williams said. About 114 companies are expected at the Business Career Fair on Sept. 19.

“I went last spring. I found a job, but it was more than that,” said Tim Nolan, a marketing and finance senior. “You’ll probably talk to over 50 employers, so you kind of come out of your comfort zone, and I felt more confident walking out of it and will walking into it this year.”

The “Student Insights for Acing the Career Fair” workshop presented by the Business and Economics ambassadors will run from 3:30 to 5 p.m. today in room 252 at the Gatton College of Business and Economics.

Students can also attend the “B&E Resumania” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and tomorrow in the Business and Economics atrium. About 10 employers, such as Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Lexmark, Procter & Gamble and United Parcel Service, will meet and work with students.

“The employers will actually be critiquing resumes,” Williams said. “It’s also an informal networking opportunity. Students can make a good impression, follow-up, and see them at the career fair and have a connection with them already made previously.”

New this year, Dillard’s will present a “Dress for Success” workshop at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in room 205 of the College of Business and Economics. Two representatives from Dillard’s will host a fashion show demonstrating “what to wear, what not to wear” on the job.

The Gat Cats Peer Trainers will also host a workshop focused on the importance of first impressions at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in room 248 of the College of Business and Economics.

The last event before the fair is the “Multicultural Networking Reception” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Stuckert building. More than 25 employers will be present to talk with students.

“It’s wonderful formal networking in a relaxed atmosphere. Basically it’s a way for a students to network and sell themselves a little bit,” Williams said. “Students can also give their resumes to employers at the event.”

Simply attending the events will not create the same benefits or results as students who prepare themselves, said Sally Foster, director of MBA career services.

“If you just walk in there and walk around, it can be intimidating,” Foster said.” “It can be easy to walk right back out and not get anything. But, if you have spent time strategizing, researching employers, memorizing your spiel of what to say, working on your resume and knowing who your top targets are — it becomes a whole new experience.”

Dress for all events is business professional, however students may come as they are from class, Williams said. Students should act professional, bring a notepad to write down employer contact information for immediate follow-up and bring at least 25 copies of their resumes. Also, if possible, students shouldn’t wear a backpack, she said.

Students can visit www.uky.edu/careercenter for additional information and a complete list of companies registered to attend each event.