Jobless alums to get help during UNR Business Week

For the unemployed alumni of the University of Nevada Reno, Business Week can't come soon enough.

With high unemployment in mind, the Business Student Council added a Career Transition Camp into the schedule of the second annual Business Week, set for Sept. 14-19 at the College of Business at UNR.

Alumni and students will learn resume writing and skills for interviewing and networking, among other things, at a day-long camp that includes elements that deal with starting a business and going back to school.

"We're going to kick the week off with that on Monday with the idea that those individuals can utilize Business Week throughout the week for a variety of things from networking opportunities to educational opportunities to skill-building opportunities," said Jane Bessette, director of career connection services at the College of Business.

"Whether you're a student or you're in transition, the reality is that you're looking for opportunities to build your network, to learn more about job opportunities, business opportunities, to build leads and/or to improve yourself and develop yourself," Bessette says.

The Career Transition Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 on the fourth floor of the Joe Crowley Student Union.

The camp is presented by volunteers from ProNet, which guides unemployed professionals back into the workforce; the Service Corps of Retired Executives; and Northern Nevada Human Resources Association.

Though the camp is for UNR students and alumni only, everything else during Business Week is open to the public and free with the exception of some fees at some luncheon meetings and conferences.

The week-long event also features career exploration roundtables, a business major and resource fair, business start-up orientations, professional coaching to accelerate careers, recruitment events, and speakers and networking opportunities.

The American Marketing Association and the Sparks Chamber of Commerce regular luncheon meetings, and the Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Wi-Fi Wednesday meeting are part of the Business Week schedule.

Bessette said these monthly meetings were included to expose students, alumni and professionals of the ongoing events in the community that relate to business.

"It's really going to be the place to be," she said.

Participants should be aware that on-campus parking requires a permit, available on the top floor of either parking garage.

To download a schedule and to register for the Career Transition Camp, visit www.business.unr.edu/bweek. For more information, call 682-9144.