Fair opportunity: Iqra University students test waters as companies arrive

The university held a job fair for students on Thursday.

KARACHI: The participation of a large number of students and 68 corporate companies at the spring job fair of Iqra University (IU) on Thursday illustrated the popularity that the event has gained over a year.

The companies had set up their stalls, offering jobs and internship opportunities to talented students. “As the university is a second home to the students, this is the best platform to meet employers who are looking to recruit students and alumni,” said an organiser.

The employers represent a wide range of organisations and are recruiting students for full-time and part-time jobs as well as internships, he added.



“Last year, when the job fair was introduced, about 52 to 55 companies were participating in the fair but now 68 organisations have registered,” said IU deputy registrar Aseem Rizvi. “The fair has basically expanded over a year, which is a good omen.”

Hassan, a BBA major in his fifth semester, said, “I wasn’t sure what to expect from the job fair, but now I hope I receive an internship so that I can gain the requisite experience for a job.”

A senior student admitted he had heard mixed reviews about job fairs. “I’ve heard they are a waste of time but, at the same time, I have also heard that they are a great opportunity to meet people so hopefully something good will come up.” He admitted that this fair was one of the last opportunities he had of getting a job before graduation.



Talking about the job fair, IU registrar Dr Akif Hasan said, “The job fair is beneficial for stakeholders such as parents and students. The event allows the corporate sector and students to interact on one platform.”

Rizvi said that some companies are training students on how to write resume and dress professionally. “The companies can help us with resume and jobs through career counselling,” said a student.

Waheed Murad, a graduate of the 2010 batch and HR specialist at Total, said he enjoyed coming back to the campus as an employer for freshmen. “The students of this university have the skill set that employers seek, such as leadership and the ability to work under pressure.”

Hassan Haider, a freshman in electronic engineering, said he attended the fair to get a career direction.

Habib Group HR manager Ambreen Malik said job fairs are a unique opportunity for the freshmen to secure internships and jobs. “Although we get many resumes through emails but at a job fair we can have one-on-one interactions with students, which help us observe their personality.”

“Our students can compete with anyone,” said Rizvi. “The employers consider our students educated and professional. The credit goes to the career centre and students.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2014.