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The Ethiopian Civil Engineering Students Association (ECESA) - organized the biggest student Job Fair at Addis Ababa inistitute of Techlogy (AAiT) campus for the first time this year. Nearly 10 companies and organizations were registering to recruit hundreds of jobs. The Job Fair was opened to all civil engineering students, both undergraduate (above third year) and graduate students.

This is a good opportunity for students to meet employers who are looking to recruit civil engineering students. These employers represent a wide range of organizations recruiting for full-time positions, part-time jobs and internships. Job Fair and Companies Day are a great resource for job exploration or to gather information about an employer's current or expected hiring needs.
AAiT students who are interested in working in civil or construction engineering found this Job Fair worthwhile. According to the branch president Bezawit Fekadu, the Job Fair took place in late June with the goal of connecting students, recent graduates, and employers who are involved civil engineering. The ECESA Job Fair is open to all above third year students to attend by submitting plenty of resumes and to make the best of job fairs ever.

Regarding its objective, Bezawit explained that the purpose of the Job Fair is to allow organizations to meet potential employees in a casual setting. The Job Fair also gives job seekers the possibilities to learn more about potential employers and the available opportunities. The fair focuses on sharing information between organizations and job seekers. It is a way to explore career opportunities within a variety of companies at one location.

Likewise, vice-president of the branch Lidya Emmanuel noted on her part that the job fair exposed employers and schools to meet with prospective job seekers. While job seekers are attending the fair, they are trying to make a good impression with potential coworkers by speaking face-to-face with one another, filling out resumes, and asking questions in attempting to get a good feel on the work needed.

Similarly, the Companies Day and Job Fair Project Head Nadia Ali explained that while the job fair is commonly used for entry-level job recruitment, students should use this opportunity to meet with employers and attempt to stand out from other people. Students will also get an overview of working for a company or a sector that seem interesting to them.

Deputy Director of Addis Ababa Institute of Technology Dr. Birhanu Asefa noted that civil engineering lasts for 60 years in the construction of houses, roads, bridges and schools in the country. The number of civil engineering graduates increases every year from 50 to 900 until the current time. The institute planed to strengthen the internship program with industries to grow and develop the students practical skills at higher pace through a close relationship.
While civil engineers plan, design, build, operate and maintain public and private projects, the Job Fair provides a convenient location for students to meet employers and perform first interviews to meet the degree or work experience needed.

Regarding the theme of networking with business professionals, graduates will have the opportunity to build their credentials, develop their career, and find a mentor within their community. Therefore, close connections within the community may enhance job seekers professional development and help them to reach their career goals faster.