A new career day tradition started yesterday with Career Services offering UA students a chance to take a peek into the health care industry.
Organizers said the event was not just held for a select portion of the student body already pursuing a career in health care, but also for students from all disciplines to consider positions within the health care field where they can use their skills.
Susan Miller, a marketing and special events senior coordinator for Career Services, said they reached out to a large cross section of the student body by sending e-mails to students in several disciplines including social and behavioral sciences, liberal and fine arts, business, education and engineering.
"We've seen a steady stream of students," Miller said.
She said she had hoped to see 500 students attend the four-hour event.
Miller said the community response for the event was good, with 20 health care providers looking for interns and May graduates.
She said career services concentrated on attracting regional health care providers to the event.
"We are pretty happy," Miller said. "Getting the first one off the ground can be pretty difficult."
Alicia Engelstad, a family studies and human development senior, said she thought the event gave her good insight into the health care industry.
"It gave me a good idea of what's out there, and I am graduating in May, so it's really helpful getting an idea of what my degree will qualify me to do," Engelstad said.
Lindsay Crissman, a physiology freshman, said she came away from the event frustrated by the lack of opportunities for students just starting college.
"It's a little bit disappointing because, being a freshman, they really didn't offer many opportunities for people without degrees," Crissman said. "It's pretty difficult for me since I am not there yet and I am looking for a job."
Aracely Rangel, a nutritional sciences sophomore, said she walked away from the event unable to connect with anyone interested in her area of study.
"They didn't have a lot for me," Rangel said. "They were more focused on nursing."