A number of major changes in DesignExpo are being made beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year. These changes are being made in response to feedback from employers, students and our faculty.
DesignExpo brings our students into contact with practicing professionals from across the country to exchange information about career opportunities. Participating firms may also choose to schedule and conduct interviews for academic internships and entry-level professional positions.
* There will be one session of DesignExpo in the fall of 2008 and a second session in the spring of 2009, rather than two sessions of DesignExpo during the spring semester. Dates are October 28-30, 2008 (Tuesday-Thursday), and February 22-24, 2009 (Sunday-Tuesday). The schedule will remain the same (i.e., optional employer check-in and reception with students the evening before, booths open from 10a-3p on the 29th and 23rd, respectively, and optional interviewing the next morning).
The primary focus for the October 2008 session is intended to be academic internship opportunities for interested students (generally in their fourth year of study) for spring/summer 2009. The February session will be aimed at employment of upcoming graduates. Both events may be used to market firms to students who in the future will be seeking academic internships, summer employment or entry-level professional positions. Employers will be able to register for and attend both sessions on a first come first served basis until space is filled; however, employer firms will NOT be allowed to register for more than one booth space during a given session so that the maximum number of employers can be accommodated.
Registration
for the October session will open on August 1, 2008. Registration for
the February session will open on December 1, 2008. Registration and
event information is located at
http://capd.ksu.edu/designexpo/employers
* Due to scheduling conflicts, the venue for the October 2008 session will be the Ballroom of the K-State Alumni Center (located at the corner of Anderson Avenue and 17th Street). The Ballroom of the K-State Student Union, our usual venue, will again be the location for the February 2009 event. The Alumni Center Ballroom is smaller than that in the Student Union; therefore, participation in the October session will be limited to the first 43 firms that register and remit the registration cost. The February session will be larger, as the space is able to accommodate 70 booths.
* The registration cost for either session is $350 for an 8’ x 9’ x 8’ pipe and draped space and two representatives (with table and two chairs). The cost for each additional representative is $15. We are unable to accept credit card payments. In view of our reputation of outstanding event organization, hospitality and student quality, we feel our event’s cost is very competitive when compared to other programs in the region.
* There will no longer be a fall mock interview activity. We will continue to prepare our students for DesignExpo with participation in resume and portfolio information sessions and critiques held prior to each DesignExpo session.
Some firms may have received information about K-State’s All University Career Fair scheduled for September 23 and 24, 2008, at Bramlage Coliseum. While this event is an alternative for employers of our students, we recommend participation in our DesignExpo as the option that will better meet your needs.
Lastly, we would like to announce a new service to employers of our students and alumni, as well as to alumni seeking new employment opportunities. Position vacancies (including academic internships, entry level and non entry-level) may now be posted on our website at http://www.capd.ksu.edu/about/employment and viewed at http://capd.ksu.edu/current-students/academic-internship-listings and http://capd.ksu.edu/alumni/employment-opp-listings. The service is free, and no employer or employee registration is required. This will eliminate the need for me to send “mass emails” and greatly improve the timeliness of and access to vacancy information. Any firm posting a position vacancy on our website is automatically added to our DesignExpo mailing list.
Questions about these changes should be directed to Diane Potts at 785.532.1090 . We look forward to working with you to meet your employment needs.
