This Thursday, Career Services will host the annual ESU Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Webb Lecture Hall.

“I hope students use this to get on the job hunt right now,” said June Coleman-Hull, director of Career Services. “Right now the market is very competitive, and they should try to make those job connections early.

There are 51 employers registered, including many accounting firms and businesses from other areas of interest, according to the university Web site. It is the largest Career Fair of the year, with two other career fairs specifically for teachers being held in November and March, Coleman-Hull said.

“It’s a rough job market for everyone,” said Jason Baker, business graduate student and chair of the Career Fair Planning Committee. “I’ve had great success with the Career Fair since the job I’ll be starting here soon was found through the last career fair.”

Some of the employers scheduled for this year’s career fair include the Emporia Police Department, BNSF Railways, The Buckle, Target and Edward Jones.

“This provides face to face connections between employers and students,” Coleman-Hull said. “It also gives employees the chance to learn about quality programs that we have here on campus.”

Career Services advises students in every level of their education to take advantage of the Career Fair.

“Even sophomores and juniors that are not looking for a job right this second should come out,” Baker said. “They can talk to companies about internships, not just jobs.”

Coleman-Hull advises students participating in the career fair to dress professionally, bring extra resumes, not to travel in groups and to send thank you notes after any interviews.

“I encourage students to research the employers before coming to the fair,” Coleman-Hull said. “The better researched you are, the better any interviews will go.”

There will be some companies interviewing the same day as the Career Fair, and students may sign up for interviews the morning of the fair.

“I hope students will take the time to come out and show employers what ESU has to offer,” Baker said. “We are a very educational institution, but if we don’t show the employers that then they will lose interest and just stop coming.”

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