Navigating the Waters of SOACE
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This document summarizes St. Edward's University's experience transitioning their career fair to a virtual format due to the pandemic. It discusses the parameters and goals for the virtual event, platforms considered, and the decision to use Webex. Details are provided on the technology setup, including hosting the event on the university's blog and using Webex's event center features. Challenges encountered and lessons learned are also outlined, such as the need for employer webcam use and partnering with student groups. The presenters conclude by offering themselves as resources for any questions.
Navigating the Waters of SOACE
- 1. Presented by Andrew Harper, Manager of Employer Relations Araceli “Sally” Pérez-Ramos, Manager of Communications and Online Programs Navigating the Unchartered Waters of Virtual Recruitment Events
- 2. About St. Edward’s University • Private liberal arts university • Catholic, Holy Cross • Undergraduate and graduate degrees • Approximately 5,200 students in 90 academic programs • Traditional-aged & Non-traditional student body • Centralized Career Services Office – 9 full time staff – 10 student staff
- 3. What is a Virtual Career Fair?
- 4. What We Do Employer Relations • Manages employer contacts • Oversees full time and part time job postings • Coordinates recruiting events on campus • Collects lots and lots of data Technology • Oversees all digital and social media • Manages online courses and programs • Develops marketing campaigns • Accountable for all technology magic in the office
- 5. PARAMETERS • Budget • Needed to be free for employers • Interactive experience that could be monitored • Video presence for employers • Multi-day experience • Short lead time for planning • Wanted to be organic
- 6. PLATFORMS Google Hangout Zoom GoToMeeting WebEx Cost Free Free for 50 minutes Costly & Complicated University Subscription Features • Chat visible • Required students & employers have Google account • Audience would be public • Only allowed shared screen • Weak varied access levels • No chat feature • Had time constrictions • All participants required to be visible • Weak varied access levels • Various chat options • Could send out reminders and post event surveys • Allowed for PowerPoint deck, shared screen, and video options • Various access levels • Various chat options • Could send out reminders and post event surveys • Allowed for PowerPoint deck, shared screen, and video options • Various access levels Ease of Use Easy Easy Moderate Complicated
- 7. Final Decision – Webex • Free with university subscription • Pre Set-Up event link that could be advertised • Could pre-load employer slide deck and screen share was available • Training was available through OIT • Career staff, employers, and students/alumni all had different access levels
- 8. Technology Set-up • Hosted Virtual Fair on our university Wordpress Blog – Could list the following on the blog page: • Event links • Description of employers and positions available • Schedule of events • Could later post video onto page for future views • Used WebEx Event center option vs. Meeting Center option – Could pre-schedule the event with uploaded Employer PowerPoint – Ability to provide varied access – Developed email templates to invite employers, students and alumni with registration questions – Ability to create post-event survey questions which are housed for 3 months – Record sessions for later download
- 9. Virtual Career Fair Set-Up • Six employers • Each conducted a live, 30-60 minute session • Encouraged to use a slide deck and submit it a head of time • CAPD introduced speaker and moderated questions
- 10. Challenges • Employers had to download WebEx in advance • Schedule training time with employers • Students had to download WebEx to either computer or mobile device • Informing students they could either access from their own device or come into the office
- 11. Marketing
- 12. Lessons Learned • Attendance and survey information disappears after 3 months • 2 employers did not have webcams • Need to partner with a class or group to build attendance • Employers wanted to “feel” more connected with students • Background for employer is important Would we do it again?
- 13. Questions? Andrew Harper Manager of Employer Relations andrewh@stedwards.edu Araceli “Sally” Perez-Ramos Manager of Communications and Online Programs aracelip@stedwards.edu Find the Hilltopper Virtual Career Fair here!