March 19, 2024

Students connect with leading employers at UOW Graduate Careers Expo

Annual event for hundreds of students to meet potential future employers

University of Wollongong (UOW) students will have the opportunity to meet, connect and network with future employers at the flagship UOW Graduate Careers Expo being held today (Tuesday 19 March) at the UniHall at Wollongong Campus.

The UOW Graduate Careers Expo is an annual event that brings together UOW students and major employers from across Australia and internationally, including the Attorney-General's Department, Treasury, Ernst & Young Services, Mainfreight, Peabody Energy, and Sydney Water to network and discuss potential career options, internships, and graduate recruitment opportunities.

Last year more than 800 students met exhibitors to discuss career opportunities, and this year’s event is anticipated to exceed that. There will be 62 exhibitors with several employer presentations being held throughout the day.

As students prepare to finalise their studies, the UOW Graduate Careers Expo provides the opportunity to receive expert career advice directly from those in the industry.

UOW Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic and Student Life) Professor Eileen McLaughlin said students will gain valuable information on how to prepare for graduate and vacation programs at the Graduate Careers Expo.

“UOW is consistently ranked among the best nationally for the quality of our graduates,” Professor McLaughlin said.

“The UOW Graduate Careers Expo is an important opportunity for local and national organisations to meet with talented UOW students from all disciplines to promote their graduate recruitment programs.

“Employer representatives can provide invaluable advice to students, offering useful suggestions on improving their employability skills and tips on enhancing their chances of getting a job.”

The UOW Graduate Careers Expo is open to all students and is particularly valuable for those in their penultimate or final year of study.

For Matthew O'Hanlon, who graduated with a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics - Bachelor of Laws, last year’s event was the catalyst to securing his graduate position with Treasury, the Australian Government’s lead economic adviser.

“The UOW Careers Expo introduced me to employers I would not otherwise have considered. I got some great advice about how to start my career off right,” Matthew said.

“Thanks to the advice and support of the people I met at the expo, I applied and secured a position in Treasury’s 2024 graduate program.

“I am starting my career in a great role. I never saw myself working at Treasury before having a chat to them at the expo. They are interested in taking on more than just economics graduates.”

Matthew would encourage any student interested to attend the expo, “I can honestly say it changed my career path forever.”

Candice Grayson, Assistant Director, Entry Level Programs from Treasury, is exhibiting again this year and said the expo is vital to attracting and attaining high quality graduates.

“As an employer who has participated in UOW's careers expo and hired several of their graduates, I am continually impressed by the diverse talent pool the University cultivates,” Ms Grayson said.

“The quality graduates we have brought on board at Treasury have consistently proven themselves to be engaged, motivated, and ready to make an active contribution from day one.

“UOW is one of the many fantastic universities that consistently produces top-notch talent, who make a positive impact in our organisation.”

During the expo, a photographer will be available to take professional headshots of students, so the soon-to-be graduates can update their LinkedIn profiles to help make a good first impression before applying for a position.

More information about the Graduate Careers Expo (including the list of exhibitors) is available here.

GRADUATE CAREERS EXPO 2024

When: Tuesday, 19 March 2024
Time: 10:30am to 2:30pm
Venue: UniHall, Building 11, Wollongong campus