TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama Career Center will celebrate Career Awareness Month throughout September, aiming to increase awareness of the resources available to students and alumni that can assist them in discovering, planning and achieving their career goals.

Events include presentations ranging from “Exploring Nonprofit Careers” to “Networking at a Reception.” During the last week of the month, a Mock Interview Day sponsored by the Cintas Corp. will be held for juniors, seniors and alumni to practice their interview skills in preparation for on-campus recruiting that begins on Sept. 27. The Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration Career Center Satellite will host an employer panel on Sept. 28 with a reception sponsored by Philip Morris USA scheduled to follow the panel.

There will also be designated times for students and alumni to stop by the UA Career Center to have their resume critiqued in preparation for the Career Fair on Sept. 22.

Companies from throughout the United States will be represented at the Career Fair. This year’s event will be a one-day fair on Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Ballroom. Companies with full-time, part-time and internship opportunities will participate. The fair is designed to provide those interested in various careers with an open information exchange regarding different organizations, hiring trends, current job openings and information about future opportunities.

Because the Career Fair is often the first contact with a potential employer, the Career Center encourages students and alumni to dress professionally and bring resumes.

For potential employers, the Career Fair provides a chance to market their organizations on campus and identify future employees as well as inform those in attendance about current employment, future company opportunities and internships available across the nation.

The Career Center will offer students and alumni a program on “How to Network at the Career Fair” designed to teach participants practical tips on how to professionally present themselves at the event. There is no pre-registration or fee to attend; the program will be held on Sept. 14 from 4-5 p.m. in 215 Bidgood Hall and on Sept. 20 from 4-5 p.m. in 360 Ferguson Forum.

To see a complete listing of events, programs and participating organizations, visit the Career Center Web site at www.career.ua.edu or contact Susan Cowles at 205/348-5848 for more information.