On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the Gait hosted Biztec 2022, giving business and computer science students the opportunity to meet with prospective employers looking to hire students. The event enabled students to network with 12 organizations and some Bishop’s alumni. Among the organizations in attendance were Fidelity Investments, GlobalExcel, Aerotek, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, the Government of Canada, Ubisoft, Pepsico, Michelin, Royal Bank of Canada, Chartered Professional Accountants, Lemieux Bédard, and an initiative of Sherbrooke Innopole called My career in Sherbrooke. My career in Sherbrooke offers activities for students to connect with industrial and tech companies in Sherbrooke and expand their network through activities with employers, on-campus and online business presentations, career days, as well as internship and job opportunities for students and graduates.

Pepsico’s representative shared a few tips on what they are looking for in students they are hiring. They emphasized that those who are a “people person” and enjoy speaking and interacting with others are just a few of the characteristics that are valued at Pepsico. Other important traits are being flexible, ambitious, showing a willingness to learn, and having a desire to grow their career.

Marcia Boisvert, the co-op advisor for the Williams School of Business, was happy with how the event ran. The event provided value to the students who attended. “Any opportunity a student has to interact with employers prior to graduation enhances hiring opportunities upon graduation,” Boisvert stated. For business and computer science students searching for a job, she encourages them to join the co-op program. Statistics indicate that 65-70 per cent of interns are offered employment upon graduation and this percentage rises for interns at larger firms such as Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Co-ops are an opportunity to get paid while earning three elective credits along with gaining industry experience and expertise.

Boisvert received several comments from the employers on the quality of Bishop’s students and that they would definitely attend a future edition of Biztec. Students also shared positive comments about the event and enjoyed the opportunity to network and speak to the organizations in person.