JobFest recruitment event brought students and employers together on campuses

Laurea's recruitment event JobFest brought together students and employers again at the turn of January and February. The three-day event was held for the second time and this year the theme of JobFest was Values in Working Life.

65 companies exhibited

JobFest focused on people-to-people encounters. The event gave employers from different sectors the opportunity to showcase their career opportunities, as well as meet students and hear their expectations of working life. Students, in turn, can get to know companies in their own field and find new ways of finding employment.

In advance, students were given information sessions led by Laurea's career services experts, where they were given ideas on how to refine their CVs and how to identify and articulate their own skills. In this way, students were well prepared to meet employers at the event itself.

In total, 65 companies were represented at JobFest over the three days, with more than 160 people attending. A large number of these were key partners of Laurea. One of the key partners participating in Monday's event day, which focused on training in the social and health sector, was Terveystalo:

- It was a really good and warm atmosphere here today. The day has been full of encounters with students, said Nanne Asikainen, an occupational health nurse at the Terveystalo stand, describing the atmosphere at the event.

On Wednesday in Leppävaara, companies from the fields of data processing and security and risk management were able to present themselves. Among the key partners in the IT sector was CGI, where the company's career opportunities were presented by Talent Acquisition Business Partner Julianne Mäenpää:

- It was a great crowd here today, Mäenpää praises the event participants.

- The students have been really proactive and approached us with their own perspectives. We have also made really good contacts here.

"Students and employers met with a smile"

In addition to the company meetings, JobFest also offered students and other participants a range of expert talks from different sectors. The talks attracted a total of more than 400 people.

The presentations included perspectives on topical issues such as ChatGPT, social media and feedback culture in the workplace.

We caught up with Ilkka Kurkela, Laurea's Director of Key Partnerships, at the end of the event:

- At JobFest, several students and employers met with a smile on their faces. I can't thank all the key partners, colleagues and students enough for being so active. Special thanks to Olga Kymäläinen from our team, whose inspirational approach made the event a memorable experience that will have a positive impact on the start of many students' careers, says Kurkela with satisfaction.

Thank you to all JobFest participants!

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