Romney Institute Hosts Fairs for Job-Seeking Students

First-year MPA students Lauren Jackson and Kate Baxter discuss internship possibilities with Steve Thacker, city manager of Centerville, Utah.PROVO, Utah – Mar 9, 2012 – In the typical search for jobs and internships, students seek out the company. The Romney Institute of Public Management, however, is finding ways to bring companies' recruiters to students.

The Romney Institute hosted two career fairs winter semester ¾ local government and nonprofit ¾ giving students a chance to gain industry-specific knowledge from top professionals, establish connections, and even interview with recruiters about available internships and jobs.

"These fairs are an excellent way to introduce our MPA students to different professionals," says Tanya Harmon, director of MPA career services. "They help us gather multiple recruiters on campus at one time. Giving them the chance to meet our students in a forum-like setting is wonderful."

The third-annual local government fair, held 8 February, featured representatives from twenty governmental entities, more than the two previous years. Of those participating, about a dozen internships, part-time jobs, or full-time jobs were available or announced at the fair.

The local government fair also featured a keynote lecture by Bob O'Neill, executive director of the International City/County Management Association. During the lecture, O'Neill shared advice he received during graduate school that changed the way he thought about his future.

"Do the most interesting thing you know the least about next," O'Neill invited the audience, "Think of this as a challenge for your career."

Hearing O'Neill's address was one of the many highlights for David Larson, a first-year MPA student from Orem, Utah. One of the other highlights came as he held personal, informal conversations with local government representatives in attendance.

"Attending the fair was a great success for me," says David Larson, a first-year MPA student from Orem, Utah. "I developed new connections, strengthened long-standing relationships, and interviewed for an internship. Having lunch with the city administrator I had just interviewed with was an excellent way to solidify who I am in his eyes and add to the interview discussion we had."

Considering the success of past local government fairs, the Romney Institute decided to host another fair this year catered to nonprofit emphasis students. Nine nonprofit organizations participated in the new fair, held Jan. 26. Among those participating, six of the organizations held interviews for internships.

During the keynote lecture, Kyle Caldwell, CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, gave nonprofit industry-specific tips such as identifying what nonprofits are looking for, what kind of jobs are available, and suggestions for finding a job in the industry.

"Overall, the nonprofit fair was a huge success," says Shanelle Robinson, a second-year MPA student from Orem, Utah, who helped plan the event. "Students had a great opportunity to make valuable connections. Our goal is that the fair will continue to grow and be more successful every year."

According to Steve Thacker, city manager of Centerville, Utah, and chair of the Romney Institute Advisory Board, the opportunity students have to talk to professionals in their chosen career is beneficial in a couple of ways.

"Students can get a better understanding of the nature of potential jobs or internships before they actually send in their résumés," Thacker says. "Going through this process will help the students submit a more effective application. In addition, they will be able to determine if it would really be a good fit from their perspective. The process really is quite beneficial."

The Romney Institute of Public Management was named in 1998 for three-term Michigan Governor George W. Romney. Part of Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management, the Romney Institute offers a master's degree in public administration through both pre-service and executive programs. The Romney Institute has a long tradition of preparing young people for careers in public service and is dedicated to educating men and women of faith, character and professional ability who will become outstanding managers and leaders in public and nonprofit institutions worldwide.