Recruiters from several area companies and agencies talk with University of Houston-Victoria students and alumni during the university’s 2013 Spring Career Fair. This year’s fair is set for 10 a.m. to noon April 10 in UHV’s University Center Multi-Purpose Room.

With positions open in its corporate office, petroleum business and convenience stores, recruiters for C.L. Thomas are looking forward to talking with University of Houston-Victoria students during the university’s Spring Career Fair on April 10.

“I enjoy going to the career fairs at UHV because everyone is really helpful,” said Craig Staff, C.L. Thomas human resource specialist. “There are usually a number of good potential candidates coming out of UHV every year.”

The career fair will take place from 10 a.m. to noon in the UHV University Center Multi-Purpose Room, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. The fair is open to students and alumni from all UHV degree programs. Attendees should dress professionally and bring copies of their resume.

In addition to having a booth at the fair, Labatt Food Service will hold an informational session for students and alumni at 2 p.m. in Conference Room A on the second floor of UHV University West.

“They are the 10th largest broadline distributor in the food-away-from-home market,” said Amy Hatmaker, UHV career services coordinator. “They have some immediate openings in the Victoria area.”

Even if students aren’t graduating this spring, they are welcome to attend the fair to network.

“Any chance students can get to network and make contacts – people that they can touch base with later or who can serve as mentors – is invaluable,” Hatmaker said. “Students sometimes underestimate the value of networking.”

Hatmaker said career fairs are a great way for graduating students to get their name out to area companies.

“There still seems to be a misconception that they will walk across the stage and not have any trouble finding a job because they have a degree,” Hatmaker said. “The reality of the job market is that it doesn’t really work that way. The job market and economy are recovering, but some students and alumni are still having a hard job finding jobs in their fields.”

C.L. Thomas has hired a number of UHV students, including a few who company recruiters met at career fairs. The company operates Thomas Petroleum and Speedy Stop convenience stores, and the corporate office is in Victoria.

“We are looking for people who are close to graduating, but we also will consider internships for students who will graduate later,” Staff said.

Employers interested in having a table at the career fair can register with Hatmaker by calling 361-570-4378 or by email at hatmakera@uhv.edu. The registration cost is $35 and includes lunch for two recruiters. The registration deadline is Tuesday.