In total, 1,500 students and graduates of the University of Navarra and 142 companies participated in the employment Virtual Fair held on March 1 and 2, figures that exceed those of last year (1,400 and 88, respectively). This event aims to multiply job opportunities for students and graduates of the University and to respond to the hiring needs of companies.

Among the companies and associations from various sectors that opted to look for talent at the academic center were 3P Biopharmaceuticals, Acciona, Amazon, AseBio, BBVA, CNTA, El Corte Inglés, group Bimbo , group Caixabank, Iberdrola, IBM Consulting, Prodigioso Volcán, Roche, Satoki and Viscofan. "It is the event core topic of the course in terms of 'recruiting' and employment. It is a unique moment for students to begin, if they have not already done so, to relate to the professional world," explains Alfonso Vericat, director of Career Services at the University of Navarra.

Specifically, a total of 1,186 students from Degree and Master's Degree and 314 alumni of different profiles registered at the fair. Participants were able to apply to 627 offers posted by companies and made a total of 7,991 applications. "I was impressed to see so many companies participating in the Fair. It allowed me to know what each one needs. I felt identified with what they are looking for, it coincides with what I have learned during the degree program. Thanks to this event I have met many companies that I didn't know could be interested in a profile like mine and it opens up a world of opportunities", says Alejandra Quintero, 4th year Journalism student.

The student Alejandra Quintero, 4th year Journalism student, participated in the Virtual Fair of employment

Preparing for the future of work

"Companies have signed up for the Fair because of our students and graduates: they want to meet them and hire them. For two days, they are the only protagonists and they have to look their best. For this reason, during the course and intensively during the weeks prior to the Fair, Career Services has given several sessions of training specific so that they can make the most of these two conference", explains Alfonso Vericat.

For example, these sessions at training teach them how to prepare a CV and a LinkedIn profile ; how to successfully face an interview at work or other selection processes; and how to proactively search for internships and employment . "The CV and LinkedIn workshops are very helpful in preparing. I attended them in my second and third year at degree program and they enrich you a lot. In the end it's all those details that make the difference," says student Alejandra Quintero.

One of the sessions of training given this year by Career Services in which students learned how to face an interview at work PHOTO: Manuel Castells

When it comes to participating in an event like the Fair, which allows networking, it is important not to be guided only by what you have studied when it comes to being interested in a business. "Students need to stop thinking about degrees and start thinking about what they want to do. Of course, some companies demand technical positions that require a specific degree program but, apart from those cases, companies do not identify talent with a Study program; there are many other more important indicators. I'm sure that exercises like this help to bring the reality of the labor market closer to the students," says Alfonso Vericat.

In addition, during the Fair, companies have the possibility to offer online conferences and interact with participants through a chat. On this occasion, the companies offered 13 conferences. In them, they explained questions such as their needs, what profiles they are interested in, what career paths they offer or what projects they are developing. The stands of the participating companies received a total of 38,969 visits from users.

Companies say that initiative is core topic to be successful in these meetings. Thanks to this proactivity, many students get an internship or their first employment through the Fair. Education This is the case of Akemi Watanabe Morales, who graduated from the Double Degree in Pedagogy and Primary Education last year. She did a summer internship at Meddeas, a human resources consulting firm that works with the educational sector and that she got to know thanks to the Fair. "The Fair allows us to discover new possibilities that had not been contemplated. In my case, I wasn't looking for something specific, but the business contacted me. After my internship, I was hired and this year I was able to attend the businessstand," says Akemi Watanabe.

The University of Navarra held the first edition of its virtual fair of employment multisectorial in February 2020. In addition to online activities, Career Services organizes face-to-face meetings that connect the university and business worlds.

Participating companies employment 2023 Virtual Fair

Abante Asesores, ACCIONA, Adventure Volunteer, Aernnova Aerospace, AFM Cluster, Akkodis Technologies Spain, ÁlamoConsulting, Alcampo, All We Wear Group, ALOR-Tech, Altair Software, Amazon Spain, Amenabar, Aon Iberia, Ardena, AseBio, Attendis, Ayanet, Basquevolt, BBVA, BDO Auditores, Bitbrain, Bluecap, Bosonit, Boston Consulting Group, Bureau Veritas, CACEIS, CAF, Signalling, CaixaBank, Caja Rural de Navarra, CampusHome, Capgemini España, Ceit, Celonis, Cepsa, CIRCE, CNTA, Crédit Agricole, Constantia Tobepal, Decathlon España, Deloitte, DHL, DK Recruitment Agency, DNV, Dräger, EcoVadis, Ecovinal, EDUCSI Zona Norte, El Corte Inglés, Essity, EY España, Ferchau Spain, Florette Ibérica, FTI Consulting, Fundación AZTI, Fundación Vicomtech, Garrigues, Geiser Pharma, Generali España, Global Factor, Global Working Recruitment, Grifols, group Bimbo, GSK, Hiberus, Hiperbaric, Histocell, Hospitales Parque, Huawei España, Humboldt, Iberdrola, IBM, IDOM, IED, ii40 Services, IKOS Consulting, Innovamat Education, Innovation Strategies, Inprosec, Institución Familiar d'Education, International Formation Center, Irizar e-mobility, KPMG Spain, LINQ, Llorente & Cuenca, Logista, Lortek, Management Solutions, Manpower, MAPFRE Spain, Mastercard Europe, Mazars, Mecalux, Meddeas, Mediaset España, Michael Page & Page Personnel, Ministerio de Hacienda y Función Pública, Minsait Business Consulting, Naru Intelligence Solutions, Nordex, NORGESTION, Nutrenaissance, Oniria Consulting, Ornua, PandaGo, Patentes Talgo, Philips Ibérica, Prodigioso Volcán, PwC, RDT Ingenieros, Roche, Rypples, Saltoki, Savinco, Sener, Simon-Kucher & Partners, Solafarm, Solo Talentos Farma, Sprim Global Partners, Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze, Talentoteca, Técnicas Reunidas, Tdiferencia, The British School of Navarra, Tinkle, Tracasa Instrumental, Typsa, UIC Barcelona, Uniiku, Unit4, Universia Holding, University of Navarra, Urzante, Viscofan, VIVEbiotech, Voggt, Voz average, Walters People, Yara Iberian, ZEO, 2btube, 3P Biopharmaceuticals.