On your mark, get ready, network!

By Zoe Irizarry
irizarryz@mytjnow.com

Ben Brandon of Accrue Partners speaks with a student about career opportunities with the company, which specializes in providing staffing and recruiting for partner companies and clients. Brandon was on the lookout for accounting students. Photo by Zoe Irizarry • irizarryz@mytjnow.comBeta Alpha Psi, Winthrop’s business honor society, held a speed networking event to connect students with companies related to their areas of study last Thursday. 

Speed networking is similar to speed dating. Each student had five minutes to talk to a representative from each of the 20 companies present, which included Lance Foods, Bank of America and the IRS. 

“It’s helping students to network with companies, communicate better and not be so nervous,” said Franklin Lin, president of Beta Alpha Psi.

Michael Stavick, senior accounting major, wanted to gain business connections. He will be graduating in the spring and wanted tips for going on interviews.

There is less pressure with speed networking because students only have five minutes, Stavick said.

The speed network event connected students with companies and workers who could give them the information they needed to have a successful job interview and land a job. 

An event like this has never been held on Winthrop’s campus, and the experience can only benefit those involved. 

Stavick was looking forward to speed networking, “Everyone’s on the same page, and we have a limited time to talk so it can’t be that bad.”

Brenda Hyatt-Neal represented Burkett Burkett & Burkett, an accounting firm, and advised that the best thing to do when going into an interview is to smile and relax. 

“I want local students to know that we are here in town and that we do look to Winthrop when hiring,” Hyatt-Neal said. “When you first get a new job you have to prove that you can do it and show a willingness to learn. 

Hyatt-Neal attended Winthrop for her undergraduate and masters degrees and understands the pressures of looking for a new job without having any experience.

“Being young and inexperienced is not all that,” she said. “Relax and take guidance from others and you’ll be just fine.” 

Elizaveta Zaytseva, a senior, is from Russia and feels more intimidated by interviews due to language and cultural barriers, she said. 

“I would like to give a good impression so I can get a job and stay in the states for several years,” Zaysteva said. 

Ben Brandon of Accrue Partners said he wanted to find sharp entry level accounting students who he could potentially place with a company. 

“People don’t think there are jobs, but there are; it’s just a very competitive market,” Brandon said. “I would suggest to anyone to get an internship or an apprenticeship because that looks awesome on a résumé.”

The event was sponsored by the Career and Civic Engagement, and the corporate sponsors were Burkett Burkett & Burkett and Continental Tire.