Virginia Tech, Ball State host apartment career fairs.

The residential property management programs (RPM) at Virginia Tech and Ball State University have produced hundreds of graduates with the skills necessary to step into positions coveting all aspects of property management with a foundation of knowledge that makes them valuable contributors to a community's operations team and poised for promotion up the management ladder.

On March 15, RPM students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills to apartment industry employers at Virginia Tech's annual RPM Career Fair. The fair gives students in the program the chance to meet with various companies related to property management and assures companies that most students who walk through the door are qualified applicants from the RPM program.

For information on registering for Virginia Tech's RPM Career Fair, contact Virginia Tech student and RPM Club President Laura Hollowell at [e-mail].

Additionally, companies may set up individual interviews with students by contacting Virginia Tech's Career Services department at its Blacksburg, Va., campus. Visit www.career.vt.edu or e-mail Betsy McCoy at [e-mail] for details on the Career Services department.

Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., will host its fifth annual Cardinal Career Fair on Feb. 28. Employers are welcome to register and qualified students will attend. For details, contact BSU's Career Center at 765/285-1522 or visit www.bsu.edu/ careers/. Registration is ongoing.

About the Programs

Virginia Tech and Ball State offer many opportunities for employers to get to know and ultimately hire qualified, confident, young professionals who have learned through internships and classwork the basic skills needed for budgeting, marketing, customer service and asset management.

RPM students complete a community analysis and take the NAAEI Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) exam. Students who complete the Community Analysis and pass the CAM exam receive the CAM designation at the spring advisory board meeting.

Join the Advisory Board

Serving on the Virginia Tech or Ball State advisory boards is another way for companies to become involved in the program. These advisory boards provide curriculum suggestions, financial support and mentoring opportunities. Board member contributions provide support for student scholarships, study tours and student attendance at the annual NAA Education Conference & Exposition. Companies use this face-to-face time on campus with the students to make contacts for student internships, as well as future full-time employment after graduation.

For information regarding Virginia Tech's advisory board membership, e-mail RPM Advisory Board Professor Dr. Rosemary Goss at [e-mail].

For information regarding Ball State's advisory board membership, e-mail RPM advisory board professor Howard L. Campbell Ph.D. at [e-mail].

Virginia Tech student Laura Hollowell contributed to this article.