FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington recently presented the fifth annual UMF College to Corporate Symposium, a forum that brings junior and senior UMF business students together with Maine business professionals to learn about current hiring practices and to create pre-professional networking opportunities.

The forum featured a panel discussion and an opportunity for students to speak individually with business representatives. The event was sponsored by the UMF Division of Social Science, Business and Global Studies and the UMF Center for Human Development and Enterprise Holdings, whose partnership with UMF has helped support each of the College to Corporate Symposiums for the past five years.

“This pre-professional experience helps students take the next step in their education,” said Stephen Davis, UMF career counselor. “Learning about the hiring process and employer expectations from professionals in the field really gives these students an edge as they look to apply their skills in the real world.”

The audience was given a full range of employers’ expectations, including written presentation of resumes and cover letters, with a glimpse into how the process compares among various employers.

In addition, the business representatives emphasized the importance of researching the company and position individuals are interested in applying for and preparing for any interview.

Eight professionals with leading Maine businesses participated in this year’s discussion, including Stacey Ferguson, New England Regional Peace Corps Recruiter; John Harvell, chief information officer of the Finance Authority of Maine; Randy Henry, operations supervisor with the Social Security Administration; Michael Luciano, human resources manager at Verso Paper; Chris McKee, vice president of corporate programs at Geiger; Matthew Polstein, president of the New England Outdoor Center; Matthew Sanford, senior program specialist and BIW integration manager at Northrop Grumman Ship Building; and Kimberly Smith, recruiting manager with Enterprise Holdings.

For more information about the event or any career-related programs or services at UMF, contact Stephen Davis at 778-7232, or [email protected].