A career fair designed to help students be ready for the world of work will be held at the Bermuda College next week.

Elisha Miller, of the Counselling and Career Centre, said adequate career preparation was a deal-breaker in an increasingly competitive and evolving marketplace.

She explained: “Career readiness has been identified by many companies as an area of development for those entering or re-entering the workforce.

“We wanted to provide a more seamless transition from the role of student to that of employee.”

Tools to help the switch can include aptitude and skills tests, exposure to various career options and appropriate counselling.

Ms Miller added: “It’s a good marriage when education leaders and industry can come together to help students equip themselves to be better employees.”

A Bermuda College spokeswoman said statistics from the United States showed that three in four high school graduates were not mentally prepared to make college and career decisions.

She hoped those odds could be improved on the island with the help of a career expo.

The spokeswoman said: “In the study, researchers found that if students rely primarily on family and friends for career direction, the student can be limited in their vision of what they can accomplish and possibly fail to fulfil their potential.”

Senior high school and Bermuda College students are expected to attend the expo but it is open to all residents, including people considering a change in career and those who trying to re-enter the workforce after extended leave.

Ms Miller said: “Everyone can benefit from designing an employment portfolio, learning new skills, or setting career goals — especially if you’re thinking of changing careers.”

The free event will take place on October 19 in the college’s Athene Lecture Theatre between 8.30am and 3pm.

A keynote address will be delivered by Malika Taylor, the managing director of Expertise Ltd, Bermuda.

Neville Grant, the chief executive of Bermuda Commercial Bank, will host a lunch and learn presentation on A Guide to Personal Finances.

Breakout session topics include interview tips and tricks, personal branding, mental health in the workplace, and using LinkedIn to network for career or job change.

The expo will also feature a panel discussion about entrepreneurship in Bermuda.

Ms Miller said: “At the end of the day, our aim is for participants, be it graduating students or someone re-entering the workforce, to leave the expo feeling as though they have gained valuable information to help prepare them to make that transition, confidently.

“The employment landscape is constantly evolving and we would like our participants to feel that they have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in one’s chosen career in this day and age.”

• For more information, visit the Bermuda College website at college.bm or call 239-9000 ext 4128.