Almost 40 different employers will be at a career fair on Oct. 2 in the Cowles Athletic Complex from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Businesses will include Accountemps, House of Mercy, Principal and Wells Fargo Financial Leasing. There will also be seven Graduate schools, including Drake University, Northwest Missouri State University and Creighton University of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

“The career fair is a great way to start networking for students, whether you’re a freshman or a senior,”said Kate Burrell, career specialist in Counseling and Career Services. “The more you can interact with employers, the more helpful it will be by the time you look for a job.”

A booklet is being handed out by Counseling and Career Services, containing a full list of the businesses and graduate schools who will be attending the fair. They tried to get a balance of business to come. According to Lois Schultz, director of counseling and career services, students should go down the list of employers and graduate schools and see who they would most like to see.

“All around the career fair is a good chance for seniors and undergrads to look around and start thinking about the future,” said senior Justin Terry.

Students should also read how to prepare in the back of the booklet. Students are encouraged to be informal but they want to create a good impression by being confident, asking questions and knowing what they are looking for from the employer or graduate school. Seniors and people looking for internships are encouraged to dress up and to have a resume available to hand out.

There will also be a meeting in the Brenton Student Center gallery the day before the fair for students to ask questions about what they need to know and what they can do to prepare.

The purpose of the career fair is to give people a chance to find jobs and internships according to Schultz. The businesses coming are looking for potential or future employees.

However, everyone is encouraged to attend whether they are looking for a job or not because it will help them understand and prepare for the future according to Schultz. It will be a positive experience, as well as a growing experience.

“I’m planning on going to the career fair because I want to talk to the graduate schools so that I can start making plans for when I leave Simpson,” said junior Amy Wigen.

Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to come talk to graduate schools about the process to apply and what is needed to get into the school. This is their chance to talk and promote themselves to graduate schools.

“It is kind of like going to the Varied Industries building at the State Fair. You just walk through and talk to people and see what they have to offer, but at the same time it is a chance to seriously talk to employers who have a serious interest,” said Schultz.

The career fair is meant to be a fun, relaxed atmosphere according to Schultz. There will be candy and fun giveaways.

“I would like as many people as possible to come,” said Schultz. “It reflects positively on Simpson’s student body.”

This will be the only career fair on campus this year. Students who cannot attend are encouraged to have a friend pick up information and make contact with the employers. Many of the employers will be back for on-campus interviews in the future.

“It’s a nice thing to have employers here on campus where you can just walk up and get information and exposure,” said Burrell. “I think its going to be a good event, and I’m looking forward to it.”