By Cooper Nelson
GCU News Bureau
More than 130 Grand Canyon University students attended the recent “Hire GCU Grads” internal job fair, and 16 were hired in various positions across GCU’s campuses.
Jacqueline Smith, director of career services, said she hopes the number continues to rise.
“It’s a mission of the University, as we are growing, to hire our grads,” she said. “Who better to promote our University than our own students who know GCU?”
The second annual event was for graduating seniors, offering resume reviews, professional headshots and interviews for various full-time positions. But GCU's commitment to helping those seniors find jobs doesn't stop there.
The external employment outlook for GCU graduates also is strong, said Smith, who was interviewed, along with University President and CEO Brian Mueller, by KTVK-Channel 3 for a story that aired on Friday, April 25.
“We're anticipating around 90 percent of our business grads being placed within six months of graduation, so we're very excited about that,” Mueller said.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 8.6 percent more graduates will be hired this year compared to 2013, with careers in accounting, business and engineering leading the way. Lance Rao, a member of GCU's Class of 2014, already has a job in his field, business.
“Employers want to hire our grads," Smith said. “They're calling our office every single week saying, 'When are they graduating? When can we talk to them? Can we get in and interview them?' I haven't seen that in the last several years, so we're definitely seeing an increase.”
To view the Channel 3 report, click here.
Recently hired grads Cat Lena and Kayley Winters are eager to continue their tenure as Lopes.
“I’m excited that I get to further my education while I stay close to all the (soccer) players I know,” said Lena, 22, a goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team who earned a B.S. in health care administration. She was hired to a full-time position in GCU’s technical support department and plans to enroll in a master’s program next fall.
“(Graduating) is scary -- it’s a big change,” said Winters, 22, who earned a B.S. in business administration and will work as a marketing coordinator at the 27th Avenue Office Center.
“But it’s a lot less stressful knowing I have a job with such a great company.”
Contact Cooper Nelson at 639.7511 or [email protected].
