With the largest annual UA career fair less than two weeks away, UA Career Services worked to prepare students for the professional world on Wednesday during its annual Career Services’ Kick-Off.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students were able to take advantage of numerous resources, from resume checks with employers and professional staff to mock interviews and a government agency mini-fair.

“We have a lot of resources, and we want students to be able to take advantage of it,” said Susan Miller-Pinhey, marketing and special events manager for Career Services. “Ultimately what you’re gearing for is a career, you know, beyond the time of your academics, so we’re helping students achieve that.”

Various employers volunteered to attend the event and check student resumes, from Wells Fargo and General Motors to Raytheon and Vanguard, according to Career Services’ website.

Brianna Rao, a biomedical engineering senior, said she plans to attend the career fair and attended the preparation event because she wanted help with her resume.

“I feel like it just gives me more confidence, so that when I go in [for an interview], I’m not scared,” Rao said. “It was helpful to know what I needed and maybe didn’t need in my resume.”

Those ready to dive right in and meet potential employers could attend the government agency mini-fair just a few feet away, which included representatives from the Peace Corps, Saguaro National Park Services, the Internal Revenue Service and more.

According to Shennendoah Rogers, a human resource analyst with the City of Tucson, the city offers a variety of unpaid and paid internships, including some through the mayor’s office. Student can gain invaluable experience through an internship with the city, Rogers said.

“It gives them an opportunity to serve the community,” Rogers said. “It also gives them an inside view of how things operate … and it also gives them some insight into what their career is actually going to consist of.”

Students interested in more services beyond the event could register with UA Career Services for $5 per academic year.

Career Services offers a number of resources for students, from career counseling to Wildcat JobLink, a website that lists career positions and student employment opportunities on and off campus, as well as summer jobs and internships.

“From the time students get here to the time they graduate, we [Career Services] can help them with their future,” Miller-Pinhey said. “When you’re looking for a job … any avenue that you can explore, including the career fair, including this event … anything you can do to get your resume and your interest in working out there is helpful.”