About 30 students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College gathered on February 5, for an exclusive networking event connecting them with local alumni employers offering internships and career opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island. The meet-and-greet was part of the Post-Grad Success Initiative, which aims to link UH students with real-world experiences across the state, preparing them for life after graduation.
Alumni panelists Casey Nakatsu (BBA ‘18, UH Hilo) of First Hawaiian Bank and Jennifer Zelko (BA ‘00, UH Hilo) of Hawaiian Electric Co. shared insights on the importance of professional networking and giving back to the local community.
“I love working at these events because there are so many people who have passion toward things, and figuring out how to place those passions in jobs afterwards is kind of tricky. But these are the opportunities that allow them to find that,” said Amber Dahl, a UH Hilo junior double majoring in English and communication and campus ambassador for Teach for America.
Geographically relevant internships
Recognizing the unique workforce needs of Hawaiʻi Island, the event offered students direct access to geographically accessible internships, while providing local employers with a valuable talent pool.
“I think it would be great to have people be able to stay in their community and their home instead of having to go outside of Hawaiʻi to find a position,” said Amie Yessis, director of talent and culture at Kona Brewing Co. “And that’s our goal—to be able to hire local—instead of having to go outside to the mainland to get someone to come live here.”
Each of the nine alumni employers had immediate openings, creating a prime opportunity for students eager to launch their careers on Hawaiʻi Island.
“The UH Hilo Post-Grad Success Internship meet-and-greet was a great way for students to engage with alumni currently working and thriving on the Big Island, and a real opportunity to connect with local companies and businesses within our community who are looking to employ,” said Shayce Nakamura, personal banker at First Hawaiian Bank. “It was an honor being there to represent our company and meeting with everyone in attendance.”
The event was sponsored by the UH Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy (OVPAS). As part of ongoing efforts to support workforce development, OVPAS is seeking partnerships with chambers of commerce and business groups to establish a sustainable framework for future internship and career fairs. Interested organizations can contact Director of Workforce Development Christine Beaule at beaule@hawaii.edu.
Workforce development is one of the UH System Strategic Plan’s four imperatives.
