Volume 67, Issue 4

Career Fair Reaps “Benefits” for SSSB Students Only
by David Weinberg

I feel the need to be blunt.  This year's fall career fair was an abomination.  The night before having two midterms along with a grand midterm project due, I spent what turned out to be wasted time preparing for and attending another Weissberg Commons shenanigan. 

Upon entering the hall, a Yeshiva staff member, probably hailing from the Office of Placement and Career Services, warned entering students that they must be “dressed in business attire,” or they would not be allowed past the front door.  A business, according to OPCS, will consider a student for future career opportunities only if he or she is dressed to compete.  However, the businesses in attendance that night were, on the most part, not even considering hiring students this fall; they merely wanted to make an appearance at the annual event. 

Furthermore, had I been a Sy Syms student, there would have been at least some opportunities for me at the fair.  I could have spoken to a headhunter, or handed out even one resume; but no, I only had the chance to speak with representatives from graduate schools.  These schools, however, only sent representatives to speak about business oriented graduate programs, such as the “awe-inspiring” MBA.  I had to finagle small bits of information out of each school just to help make me realize that the only way to find information is via the all-encompassing Internet.

Columbia University, Bar Ilan University, and Fairleigh Dickinson were all present to offer willing and able students the wonderful opportunity of applying for their MBA program.

“Do you have any other graduate programs, such as in Political Science or Communications?” asked one eager YC junior, majoring in Political Science, speaking to the representative from Columbia.

“I have no idea,” replied the representative, “check the website.  I only deal with my specific program.”

Coming out of Yeshiva with a simple B.A. will not get you a decent job, period.  Why?  Because as a non-business major, one is expected to think, therefore extra years are needed to develop the young mind into a working machine.

So, why then would OPCS only bring business-oriented graduate schools?  As one academic advisor who requested anonymity said, “OPCS works for Sy Syms.  There is no career service, or even future placement advisor who handles the affairs of the college.”  Strictly SSSB graduate oriented businesses attended this year's career fair, and so the lowly YC major will have to search elsewhere.  Do I see this as a problem?  Yes, on the one hand, because I was hired by Columbia Pictures out of a resume that I handed in at last years career fair, and therefore I feel that the fair has the possibility of getting people jobs.  No, on the other hand, because…no wait, it is a problem.  I should have the same opportunity as a Sy Syms major to search for a job.  OPCS should be working for me just as hard as some “number crunching” SSSB major.  Companies that are brought should be screened to see that they are not just teasing the students.

“Business attire a must,” stated the promotional signs, but why should you wear a suit?  There were no businesses in attendance that night that were hiring.

David Weinberg is a Yeshiva College sophomore majoring in political science.¨

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