To better connect Chaminade University with local and national companies, the campus Office of Advising and Career Development recently hosted its first Employer Breakfast at Clarence T.C. Ching Hall.
The event drew 68 visitors – including human relations managers – from companies such as Bristol Hospice Hawaii, Aflac Hawaii, Whole Foods Market and ProService Hawaii.
Career Specialist Megan Robison, who organized the breakfast, said the gathering was a way to “connect with employers face-to-face, to let them know what was happening with the university and how they could partner.”
“We spend so much time connecting electronically,” Robison said, “and I wanted the in-person connection. This will create more meaningful relationships with our employers and hopefully set us apart from other institutions on island.
“From these connections, we hope to facilitate relationships that will provide future internship and job opportunities for our students,” Robison added, “while helping employers participate in career-related events at Chaminade.”
Robison noted that reaching out to employers is often “confusing and daunting” for students.
“If we create partnerships with reputable employers across many industries, we make the connection piece that much easier for students,” she said, “and we assist in filling workforce needs for our employers. It’s a win-win situation.”
Establishing these partnerships will also help Chaminade create an Employer Advisory Board that will share best practices from various industries and thereby assist faculty and staff in developing career-ready students.
“My biggest goal is to get our name out in the community,” Robison said. “Chaminade University has amazing students. We are worth talking about and our students are worth hiring!”
