With the current job market, students will learn how to get ahead of the competition at Career Boot Camp Saturday.

The event is sponsored by Career Services and will help students with career training. The boot camp will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Linda Moore, director of Career Services, said students can meet alumni who are active in the hiring market.

“Students need a high level of professional polish to be competitive and this event provides both the information and the opportunity to practice networking with very accomplished professionals,” she said.

Roberta Kingery, a career adviser for Career Services, said the Career Boot Camp will provide current industry information and the ability to network with successful professionals.

“Students should participate (in Career Boot Camp) because it gives them a chance to learn critical information about career options and preparation from EIU alumni who are currently active in the working world,” she said.

Career Boot Camp provides students with the opportunity to receive information on different industries including medical, financial, educational and technological fields, Moore said.

Students will also be given information about cover letters, resume content, social media rules, tips for interviews, building portfolios, behavior in the work place and work place dress, Moore said.

She said 180 students have already registered for the event. If students are interested in participating, they can register through the Career Services website through today.

If students are not able to attend the Career Boot Camp, Career Services provides other services.

“Many including field trips to employers, workshops that are listed on our calendar and our Facebook page, internship and job listings, job shadowing placement and career counseling and professional development training through one-on-one appointments with trained career counselors,” Moore said.

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].