With last week’s engineering, business and LAS career fairs over, students looking for a more service-orientated job will get their chance this week at the fifth annual College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Social Service Volunteer and Career Day.

“Last year, we had over 500 students attend the fair. It seems to be growing in popularity as people realize there are opportunities outside of the regular career fair,” said Jeana Gingery, program assistant for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and LAS career services staff member.

The average student attendance in the past has been approximately 350 students, with more than 30 organizations typically interviewing students for full-time and part-time jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities.

Students said the event could offer expanded job possibilities.

“Even though I do not know what kind of career I would like to go into, I would like to know about volunteer opportunities in Iowa,” said Sarah Sunderman, sophomore in political science. “It’s exciting to know that the school offers options beyond just the corporate world.”

There is a common thread among what attending organizations are looking for in applicants – helping others.

One of the fair’s returning organizations, the Peace Corps, will be represented by Erin McGillivray, who recently returned from Kenya after serving with an HIV assistance project.

Allen Gerber, Peace Corps regional manager from Minneapolis, said the Corps is looking for people who “truly represent America.” He said most Peace Corps volunteers are about 27 years old and have a four-year degree.

Interested students wanting to get involved in the Peace Corps should prepare themselves for a long process, Gerber said. After sending in the application, applicants could wait for more than a year before being accepted, assigned and fully trained.

Another organization attending the fair is the Center for Addictions Recovery Inc. of Ames.

“We’re looking for people who would like to work with and help substance abusers, preferably those with interests in psychology and the human sciences,” said June McDonald, treatment coordinator at the Center.

Gingery said career services enjoys giving students the opportunity to see other options outside of the regular corporate atmosphere.

“There is a niche in the student population that really wants to make difference with people this fair is a great place for them to start,” Gingery said.

The career day is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.