UCSB Career Services will be hosting its biggest career fair of the year today from 1 to 4 p.m. at Corwin Pavilion.

The Spring Career Fair will feature over 50 registered companies — including Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft Corporation, FM Global, Nova Sensors and Southern California Edison — that will be offering internships and job opportunities to UCSB students. UCSB Student Access ID will be required for entrance.

Ignacio Gallardo, Career Counselor and Employer Relations Coordinator of Career Services, said that simply showing up in the midst of an economic crisis is not enough for students to land a great job or internship.

“Do research, know who’s coming to the fair and be prepared to talk about your skills, and dress professionally — suit and tie — even though it’s not required, it is highly recommended,” Gallardo said.

Event coordinator Diego Padilla said while the event will teach freshmen and sophomores about the types of positions that are available in the job field, it is a great opportunity for seniors to land a job before graduation, especially at a time when jobs are scarce.

“Students look more professional when they know about the company that they are potentially applying for,” Padilla said. “Bring several copies of your resume, check the website and research the companies that are going to be attending the event. Don’t be shy, walk up to any employer and start talking.”

Furthermore, Chris Gavin, Career Counselor Coordinator for Physical & Life Sciences, said students should be aware of their skills and know how they can fit their abilities into the potential job that they are applying for.

“Give clear and specific examples of your skills or previous jobs, so employers can understand what you did in the past,” Gavin said. “Be specific of what you can do well, most relevant skills should be on top of the page. A good resume has to have a consistent format, good spelling and grammar, has to be easy to read and should be one page. Know that all experiences are valuable, paid, volunteered, student organizations, school projects, etc.”

Maya Khatonabadi, a fourth-year global studies major, said attending the Career Services Fair for the first time will be an exiting experience.

“I personally have had a very positive experience using Career Services for resume critique and cover letters,” Khatonabadi said. “Now is the moment of truth. I finally have the opportunity to interact with potential employers and hopefully land a good summer internship.”

Students who have had their resumes critiqued at Career Services, are professionally dressed and have studied the list of employers in advance will be allowed to attend the event an hour early. It is expected that over 1,000 students will attend this event.

The Spring Career Fair will have career opportunities in a variety of fields, including engineering, management, software developer, sales, financial analysts and international internships. For more information on the different services provided at Career Services, the list of employers and positions available, as well as tips to make a professional impression, visit http://www.career.ucsb.edu.