After graduation, finding the right company for employment is not easy. Every company has its own requirements.
“The hard part is getting hired, especially because I’m a Mexican citizen. … You are required [to have] a work visa,” said Mauricio Salazar, who graduated from UTRGV last fall with a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics.
Salazar said it is hard to find an engineering job in the Rio Grande Valley.
“There’s not that many engineering [jobs],” he said. “I think there’s only, like, maybe one or two or three at the most and the rest have been in, like, Austin or San Antonio or Houston.”
Among the companies and firms hiring now is Tostado Law Firm PLLC.
“We usually ask for a résumé, if they have any experience or why they want to be in a law firm, [and] what their career path is,” said Paola Tostado, lead attorney for the law firm.
The law firm hires paralegals who are willing to learn and adapt to any job given.
As reported in the second part of this series, “Résumé + cover letter = interview,” a résumé is an essential tool when applying for a job, and employers use it to determine whether to interview the applicant.
“It’s very important because, sometimes, I’m not the one receiving the résumés. … That’s how they present themselves to me. So, if I see something sloppy, or something misspelled, then I see that this person is not interested,” Tostado said.
A résumé is a representation of yourself and by having a good résumé, employers are going to know that you are involved and that you have had experience in other jobs, said Alda Jimenez, a freshman majoring in bilingual education.
For students seeking a career in health care, most of the requirements for employment at hospitals are different and some may require experience.
“We have a lot of nursing positions. … They are looking for a registered nurse. It doesn’t always have to be an individual who has experience, it can be an individual who has just completed the program and is looking into getting into our health care system,” said Anabel Arellano, recruiting manager at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg.
The hospital also has positions available in administration and marketing. All positions available can be found at www.dhr-rgv.com.
“We are always … willing to work with new students who are in the process of finishing their careers,” Arellano said.
Tostado Law Firm PLLC and Doctors Hospital at Renaissance offer internships and job shadowing for students looking to gain experience.
“We look for, if they’re presentable, if they’re interested in the job and if they’re honest, No. 1, and responsible,” Tostado said.
The hospital is looking for similar qualities in their prospective employees.
“We are always looking for individuals who are enthusiastic, who have good bedside manner, who want to learn different tasks, who, of course, have the background and the education but who also have the will to move forward with the organization and take care of our community,” Arellano said.
Arturo Castro, internet sales manager at Charlie Clark Nissan Brownsville, said the company looks for a candidate who is confident.
Charlie Clark Nissan Brownsville has positions available for salesman and business development center agent. In addition to sales, the agent is responsible for customer service follow-ups, sales calls and scheduling internet appointments, Castro said.
A salesman’s schedule at the dealership includes 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Other employees work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or noon to 9 p.m., Castro said.
The Tostado Law Firm is located at 1244 International Blvd. in Brownsville and can be reached at 548-8888.
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance is located at 5501 S. McColl Rd. in Edinburg and can be reached at 362-8677.
Charlie Clark Nissan is located at 2547 N. Expy. in Brownsville and can be reached at 214-2530.
