Sacramento State’s Academic Advising and Career Center will be hosting its annual career fair Wednesday that will feature even more companies recruiting than last year’s fair, with many coming to Sac State for the first time.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., business representatives from government, education, non-profits and the corporate sector will be set-up Union Ballroom to present students with employment opportunities.

Eva Gabbe, manager of employer relations at Sac State sees the increase in businesses this year as encouraging.

“Perhaps this is sign that companies are feeling more confident about the economy and hiring again,” she said. “I think as a nation we are moving more into a recovery period.”

Joe Coussan, who does public relations for the Pepsi Beverage Company, said they have a good history with the campus.

“Pepsi has had nothing but great experiences with Sac State,” Coussan said. “It’s a university that we like to visit in the search for good talent.”

This year the fair has a new feature called “break-out sessions,” in which certain jobs hold meetings in separate auditoriums. The first break-out Session of the day will be the FBI at 9 a.m. in the Hinde Auditorium.

Coussan said students should always make sure to be prepared for any potential job that they find interesting.

“A resume always helps, and make sure that you’ve researched the company and what being in the business entails,” said Coussan.

Joel Wenell, director of training at Advance Kids said it is a good idea to have a resume with up-to-date contact information, work experience, and volunteer work.

“We appreciate having current contact information so we have the ability to reconnect with applicants following the career fair,” said Wenell. “It is also a good idea to be ready to discuss the reasons why you have an interest in the field that you are applying to, as well as some knowledge of the company and its mission.”

Sac State’s website offers “career connection,” which includes information on resume workshop schedules, career fairs and lecture series.

Gabbe said in a time of high-unemployment students are being offered this opportunity when they need it most. She said some opportunities are unpaid, but still look great on transcripts.

“We want our students to know that corporations are always recruiting students for internships, part-time positions and full time positions,” said Gabbe. “Internships help prepare students for the future. These are great work experiences to add to a resume and learn about their chosen profession.”

Gabbe said every student on campus has an opportunity to find a potential career at the fair. Some tables have a focus on a certain major, but most are available for all majors. Students should keep in mind that managers look not just for experience, but also in the student’s interest and excitement for the job.

Wenell said Sac State stands out to him because they are consistently impressed with the talent of its students.

“We choose to participate in the Sac State career fair every year because of the quality of applicants that typically show interest in this job,” said Wenell.