Even in a declining economy, the University expects a full house for today’s career expo.The expo will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Parker Coliseum, and Sara Crow, communications manager at Career Services, said more than 220 companies will be in attendance.”We’re not quite sure what’s going to happen with some of the employers from Houston,” Crow said.Returning companies are proof the event is successful, Crow said.For freshmen, the expo can serve as a tool to help decide on a major, she said. Sophomores and juniors can find internships and part-time positions, and seniors can use it to find full-time work. Raising Cane’s has recruited students at the expo for several years, said Kathy Robinson, Raising Cane’s recruiter.”The greatest challenge has been finding candidates that are prepared for the work force,” Robinson said.Students focus their attention on academics and forget to supplement their degrees with work experience and internships, she said.Communication is key when speaking with a potential employer, Robinson said. Students should be able to effectively communicate what their skills are and what kind of position they’re looking for.”People have to learn how to sell themselves,” Robinson said.Brendia Jackson-Johnson, Baton Rouge Parks and Recreation human resources analyst, said she’s seen several successful hires resulting from the expo, mostly for part-time positions. The biggest issue she’s seen is that students know what they want to accomplish but don’t know where to start. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has been participating in the expo since 1989, said Karen Schexnayder, DEQ human resources director. Following up with an interviewer may be what sets a student apart from other applicants, Schexnayder said. When approaching a recruiter, Crow said students should introduce themselves and say their major and expected date of graduation. The recruiter should be able to pick it up from there.Having questions about the company also aids in the conversation, Schexnayder said.–—Contact Olga Kourilova at [email protected]