The season for internship and job applications is rolling and CU is holding events to prepare students for these opportunities.
The first annual Diverse Buffs Mixer was held on Nov. 9 at the UMC. About 40 employers from various companies around Denver and the Front Range came to find students who could fill up their internships and their entry-level positions for alumni in attendance.
Several companies were present at the mixer, including Progressive Insurance, Northwestern Mutual and Wal-Mart.
Ann Herrmann, the assistant director for student programs at Career Services, said the event was held as part of the 17th annual Diversity and Inclusion Summit. The Diverse Buffs mixer is separate from the larger career fair held in early October
“We wanted to help support the diversity and have an event specific to the diversity population on campus,” Herrmann said. “A lot of companies are looking to diversify their work force.”
Herrmann said she estimated that 50 to 60 students came to the event.
Thirty minutes of the event were dedicated to students and employers mingling with each other. For the next portion of the event, the keynote speaker and former CU quarterback Charles “CJ” Johnson spoke to attendees.
“We thought [Charles Johnson] would connect well with students and have a good message,” Herrmann said.
Johnson not only spoke about his life as a CU quarterback, but also how he was able to maximize himself in order to receive more opportunities than he normally would. He advised students that taking chances often pays off.
“Breaking out of that box, finding that my comfort zone wasn’t all that comforting—it only slowed my growth and reduced the opportunities I could have,” Johnson said in his speech.
After the Johnson’s speech, students and employers were able to network and talk to possible employers who had many internship positions to fill.
Bruce Hartmann, a Progressive liability claims representative, said that the students he encountered seemed to be both professional and prepared.
“I am impressed,” Hartmann said. “I would say to be a little bit more courageous in coming and chatting with employers, but I can equally understand the fear.”
Alex Gearhart, a 21-year-old senior Spanish major, said that he came to the diversity event to find companies with a global focus.
“There’s this guy from Nielson here and they do international market research,” Gearhart said. “I’m here for really specific reasons. I just want to get it and get out as opposed to people who are trying to practice meeting people.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Vanessa Harmoush at Vanessa.harmoush@colorado.edu.
