Careers Fair connections

Students, employers and professional organisations connected at the Careers Fairs on JCU’s Townsville and Cairns campuses this week.

The annual Fair was a special event in Cairns this year, celebrating JCU’s 25th year in Cairns.

KPMG assistant manager and JCU graduate Jayme Davies, who spent the day sharing her experience and advice with students, credits employer connections with giving her a start in her career eight years ago.

The accounting and advisory firm was among 41 exhibitors at the Cairns Fair offering opportunities across all study areas including dentistry, social work, psychology, nursing, business, sport and exercise science, creative industries and engineering.

Ms Davies, who has a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Professional Accounting from JCU, said KPMG currently employed 36 JCU graduates, with an intake of around 10 graduates each year in Cairns.

“These days, more than ever, it’s important to make contacts with employers and the Careers Fair is the ideal environment for that,” she said.

“The Fair is a key part of getting KPMG’s message out about what’s on offer. We do see people each year so we get to know them by the time they have their interview which makes the process more comfortable.”

JCU Graduate Employment Officer Lisa Crema said students from all faculties and year levels attended the Careers Fairs to talk to employers, professional associations and student groups.

“The Careers Fair leads to jobs for current students and graduates, mentoring opportunities as well as advice and information for all students,” she said.

“Whether it is a first year student wanting an idea of what to do with their career or a final year student wanting advice on job applications, the Careers Fair is beneficial for all students.”

In its first 25 years in Cairns JCU has conferred 5,920 degrees. The campus opened with just 117 students and eight first-year subjects in 1987. This year there are 4120 students and the campus now offers a huge range of courses from diplomas to doctoral programs.

Graduates have included 1102 teachers, 522 science graduates, 482 business graduates, 422 accountants, 336 social and community welfare workers, 323 nurses, 204 lawyers and 143 tourism graduates, while 206 students have completed their Master of Business Administration.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Stephen Weller said a growing student body and expanded offerings meant the Cairns conferrals were increasing rapidly.

“It might have taken two decades to produce our first 5,000 graduates, but our next 5,000 will take less than half that time,” he said.

Issued March 9, 2012

Media enquiries: E. linden.woodward@jcu.edu.au T. 07 4042 1007