Louisville sophomore Kathy Smallwood didn’t consider a career in real estate until her father, a real estate broker, needed her help. Smallwood’s father, Brian Smallwood, couldn’t understand one of his Spanish-speaking clients on his voicemail. Kathy Smallwood was able to speak to her father’s clients because she majors in Spanish and can communicate with clients who have difficulty speaking English.

Students looking for a job usually have to go an employer. But the Career Services Center is flipping that model and bringing employers to Western. The Western Career Expo returns for its seventh year on Thursday. It will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center at South Campus.

Radcliff freshman Erik Martinez’s chances of getting a job diminished when he wore jeans to a job interview for Abercrombie and Fitch. After several minutes of interviewing, he was told he did not fit the mold. “Let’s just say I was not what they were looking for,” Martinez said.

Western’s graduating students may not have to move far for employment. The national economy has not been thriving, but Bowling Green’s job market has been increasing over the past few years. According to Career Preparations Specialist Becky Bennet students studying accounting, finance, nursing and hospitality will find an easy time getting a job in the area.

Every year, millions of college graduates flood out of universities across the nation to compete in the job market. Those graduates may have luck finding jobs in business. The top five careers today are management trainee, teaching, sales, consulting and accounting, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers fall 2005 salary survey.

There are at least 2,500 students at Western who might benefit from a fair on the Hill this week. They won’t get any cotton candy, funnel cakes or amusement rides. But they might leave with a major. The Academic Advising and Retention Center will sponsor a majors fair from 3 to 5 p.

Preparing for graduation and getting through your last load of courses can be tough, but what’s even harder is figuring out how to deal with life after Western. The Career Services Center offers many resources that will be helpful not only to seniors who are nearing graduation but also freshman who have not decided on a major, career specialist Becky Bennett said.