More than 3000 Bilkent students attended the annual Career Fair on March 16 and collected company specific information, as well as general information about what to expect in professional life. Students filled application forms for internships, part-time and full-time positions. Over twenty companies from the private and government sectors sent representatives to the fair. The various representatives, some of them Bilkent alumni, gave some practical information to the students.
Mustafa Tekin (ECON/99), representing the State Planning Organization, says that students should not think that they will have time to improve their marketability after graduation. Rather, they must begin to be organized and prepared during their university studies in order to make themselves employable. Alper Tenşi and Gökçen Kayınova, of Academy International, suggest that a university degree is not enough to land a job. If students' skills and experiences are limited, they should take time to get involved in non-academic activities or improve their skills. Melike Serengül (ELIT/2000) of Meteksan, says that graduating from Bilkent is not enough to make someone employable. Finding a job is very hard, and companies are interested in more than just your alma mater. She adds that "an internship is as important as a master's degree" in preparing students for future employment. Dilek Altan (MAN/93), from the Tepe Group, says that students should know that competition for employment is tough. Tülin Alpay, the representative of the Turkish Court of Accounts comments that having a Bilkent graduate in the Court would be a welcome addition as currently there is none. She adds that communication between the government sector and students needs improving. Students' performance on the entrance exam is important for employment, but exam anxiety should not outweigh the enthusiasm of being a government employee.
Career Days continues what the Career Fair began. Students have the opportunity to attend discussions with company representatives who will be visiting the campus in the coming weeks. The following list includes names, dates, and times of the company visits this week.
March 26, Devlet Planlama Teşkilatı, at FADA, FFB-22, 12:30 p.m.
March 27, Ziraat Bankacılık Okulu, at Mithat Çoruh Auditorium, 12:30 p.m.
March 28, Turkcell, at Mithat Çoruh Auditorium, 12:30 p.m.
March 29, Avrupa Patent Ofisi, at FADA, FFB-22, 12:30 p.m.
Contact ext. 1911 or kayiyem@bilkent.edu.tr for further information about these visits.
Caner Arslan (ECON/III)
İhsan Sönmez (IR/II)
