OFFICIAL6 Why does the student think that companies' representatives would not be interested in talking to him?

[00:00.00]Narrator: Listen to a conversation between a student and an employee in the university's career services office.
[00:12.25]MALE STUDENT: Hi. Do you have a minute?
[00:14.41]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Sure. How can I help you?
[00:15.95]MALE STUDENT: I have a couple of questions about the career fair next week.
[00:18.94]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: OK, shoot.
[00:19.91]MALE STUDENT: Um, well, are seniors the only ones who can go? [00:23.67]I mean, you know, they're finishing school this year and getting their degrees and everything… [00:28.40]and, well, it seems like businesses would want to talk to them and not first-year students like me…
[00:33.84]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: No no. The career fair is open to all our students and we encourage anyone who's interested to go check it out.
[00:39.52]MALE STUDENT: Well, that's good to know.
[00:41.09]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: You've seen the flyers and the posters around campus, I assume.
[00:43.94]MALE STUDENT: Sure! Can’t miss 'em. [00:45.24]I mean, they all say where and when the fair is… just not who should attend.
[00:49.66]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Actually, they do. But it’s in the small print. [00:52.21]We should probably make that part easier to read, shouldn't we? [00:55.58]I'll make a note of that right now. [00:57.74]So, do you have any other questions?
[01:01.23]MALE STUDENT: Yes, actually I do now. [01:03.37]Um, since I'd only be going to familiarize myself with the process— you know, “check it out”— [01:08.65]I was wondering if there’s anything you’d recommend that I do to prepare.
[01:12.41]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: That’s actually a very good question. [01:14.50]As you know, the career fair is generally an opportunity for local businesses to recruit new employees and for soon-to-be graduates to have interviews with several companies they might be interested in working for. [01:25.79]Now, in your case, even though you wouldn't be looking for employment right now, it still wouldn't hurt for you to prepare much like you would if you were looking for a job.
[01:34.26]MALE STUDENT: You mean like get my resume together and wear a suit?
[01:37.16]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: That’s a given. [01:38.43]I was thinking more along the lines of doing some research. [01:41.94]The flyers and posters list all the businesses that are sending representatives to the career fair. [01:46.69]Um, what’s your major, or do you have one yet?
[01:50.17]MALE STUDENT: Well, I haven't declared a major yet but I’m strongly considering accounting. [01:54.75]See, that’s part of the reason I want to go to the fair… to help me decide if that’s what I really want to study…
[02:00.03]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: That's very wise. [02:01.62]Well, I suggest that you get on the computer and learn more about the accounting companies, in particular, that will be attending. [02:08.08]You can learn a lot about companies from their Internet Web sites. [02:11.79]Then prepare a list of questions.
[02:13.67]MALE STUDENT: Questions… hmm. So in a way I’ll be interviewing them?
[02:18.09]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: That's one way of looking at it. [02:19.65]Think about it for a second. [02:21.49]What do you want to know about working for an accounting firm?
[02:24.85]MALE STUDENT: Well, there's the job itself… and salary, of course… and, um working conditions… [02:30.96]I mean, would I have an office or would I work in a big room with a zillion other employees? And… um…and maybe about opportunities for advancement…
[02:40.00]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: See? Those are all important things to know. [02:42.61]After you do some research you'll be able to tailor your questions to the particular company you're talking to.
[02:48.26]MALE STUDENT: Wow, I'm glad I came by here! [02:50.24]So, it looks like I've got some work to do.
[02:53.79]FEMALE EMPLOYEE: And if you plan on attending future career fairs, I recommend you sign up for one of our interview workshops.
[02:59.25]MALE STUDENT: I'll do that.