Opinion • We Need a Shuttle to the Movies Page 6
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Valentine’s Day Activities Pages 8-9
Sports • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026
VOL. 53, ISSUE 13
INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER
THE CAREER FAIR IS TODAY!
Increased Use of AI in the Workplace to Impact the Job Search By BRENNA BELASCO Associate News Editor Fairfield University’s 2026 Spring Career and Internship Fair is today, from noon to 3 p.m., in the RecPlex. The fair will be attended by over 75 employers from Connecticut and the surrounding area, covering a broad range of occupations, including financial services, media and communications, and educational institutions. With the increased usage of artificial inelligence (AI) in the workplace and the job search, the Career Fair is changing. Amna Haider, the Director of Data Management and Enrollment at Fairfield Meditz, is teaching students how to use it to their benefit. Haider, in her Digital Edge Seminar, discusses data concepts, how to exist in a data-driven economy, and how to use data tools, namely, AI. “Job hunting [with AI] is very different now…everyone is looking for tech tools. In the skills section of your resume you can [include] AI, but AI is a really broad term,” she said. It’s important to have other specific AI-related skills, such as integrating it or using it for a select purpose. Haider attests that students who use AI will have different takeaways from the Career Fair, because AI programs are able to give potential employees valuable insights about the company or their hiring process that employers may not have off the top of their heads. She also added that, “If you have a really niche interest, you can build on it. [AI] is exposure to everything that exists, and it lies within the individual to bring it all together.” However, it is essential that AI is used wisely. “When I was working in hiring, people sent in their AI resumes and cover letters,
but [where it says] insert name here, [they left it blank]. So [when you’re using] in that regard, you’re making a really nice cover letter, but then you miss that piece. That’s going to be a detriment to you,” Haider said. Finally, AI can give students an advantage in the job search. “If you’re not using AI to [help with what] you’re trying to search for, you’re automatically spending a lot more time [on that] than someone who is using AI,” she said. “If they already have [those insights], wouldn’t they automatically have an edge?” For students who aren’t using AI, it’s not something to be scared of. Haider vouches for its value and support, saying, “...others are using it all the time. Computers are quicker than humans are.” The event will be chock-full of opportunities and people looking to connect, so proper preparation is essential. The best way to prepare for the career fair is to take advantage of the on-campus career centers, says Meditz College Career Development Advisor, Yamil Cobo. He went on to describe the different career centers Fairfield University has, saying, “We have a desynchronized career center, so that means that each college has its own career center. [We also] have the [main] career center. The best way to take advantage of your career center is by going to the drop-in hours and events.” Cobo also discussed what attendees should wear, harping on the importance of professional attire, and recommended a suit as the best option. He also shared information regarding a resource students can use if they need clothing items for events like these: the Career Closet. Students can make an appointment and borrow professional attire for the events they will be attending. Something else students should do to be
prepared for the Career Fair is to have copies of their resumes ready. Cobo stated that he tells students to visit the university’s Handshake (a career management and job networking platform) profile and scan the list of employers who will be present at the fair. “I typically tell students [to bring] 10 copies [of their resume]. If you’re planning to talk to more people, [bring] more; if you’re planning to talk to fewer people, I would still bring 10 just in case; you never know who you run into!” he said. When students enter the Career Fair, there will be a printer on the right-hand side. There, students will be able to print out more copies of their resumes. The Career Center helps students develop skills they will need for Career Fairs, interviews, and beyond, such as creating a sound elevator pitch. “An elevator pitch is a really crucial thing that a lot of students seem to miss. It’s super important because [in] those first 30 seconds when you introduce yourself and how strong you start builds confidence,” Cobo said. He recommends that students visit the Career Center during advisor drop-in hours (found on Life@Fairfield) to practice and polish up their elevator pitches. He added that students who do research will be at an advantage because they’ll know who they’re looking for, and they’ll have mission statements that will likely impress employers. Cobo is an alumnus of the university, and he got his first job from the Career Fair. He tells his students, “The Career Fair works wonders if you do [these things].” When asked what students should expect from the Career Fair, Cobo claimed it depended on how many times they had continued on page 3
Photo Contributed by Fairfield University
Students meeting with potential employers at a Career Fair. The Spring Career Fair is taking place today in the RecPlex.
Who is Brandon Benjamin? Page 16
Updated Housing Guide Introduces New “Individual” Options for Round One By JULIAN NAZARIO Managing Editor
Fairfield University’s Office of Residence Life unveiled its annual housing guide for the upcoming academic year on Monday, with no significant changes to housing accommodations for university students. According to the 20-page document, the housing application is expected to open today at 9 a.m. and remain open through March 4, when students must submit their application and have a verified group of roommates for the randomized housing lottery. This year, senior and junior students will be able to pick together on March 18, followed by sophomore students on March 19 and 20. The process is expected to conclude in midApril. However, this year’s lottery will allow students in unverified or incomplete groups to apply and secure housing in the first two rounds, rather than being automatically placed on the last set of housing assignments. “If you are open to living with anyone or unable to complete your group or find roommates, the Office of Residence Life will be offering an opportunity to allow students who are participating in the lottery as an individual or as unverified (incomplete) groups, will have the opportunity to select from a limited pool of housing in the first two rounds of the room selection process,” the document reads. ResLife is deeming the new process a “fairer opportunity” for residents and appears to be a new strategy that prioritizes a student’s random lottery number over the full group size. The Housing Lottery Resource Guide also confirmed The Mirror’s previous reporting on the reclassification of Meditz Hall as senior and junior housing. The building, which opened originally in 2011 as an apartment-style residence hall for upperclassmen, was later turned into a sophomore go-to as part of the university’s Build-A-House community. In addition, the university officially announced that the new Conference Center residence hall will house sophomores in three-person suite-style rooms, as The Mirror had reported before construction broke ground. To orient students on the process, ResLife held an informational session yesterday at Faber Hall, and an online webinar is scheduled today at noon.
FUSA Kicks Off Presidential Election, Three Tickets Intend To Run By OLIVIA MARCEDA Head News Editor Fairfield University Student Association presidential election season has begun with over three pairs of students declaring to run for President and Vice President. According to Chief Justice Ryan Tappan, the pairs who declared for the election are Tommy Fitzmaurice and Olivia La Bruno, Matthew Doherty and Hailey Guzman, and Vincent Vizzard and Ava Knaus. Though they have all declared their intention to run, they are not officially considered
candidates until they get 200 signatures. Current FUSA President Courtney Sabogal emphasized that successful student leadership begins long before election day. According to Sabogal, organization is one of the most critical qualities for any student government leader. “There are a lot of moving parts involved in leading a student government,” Sabogal said. “Organization is key to making sure everything runs smoothly, gets done in a timely manner, and your work is as effective as it can be.” In addition to staying organized, Sabogal stressed the importance of being future-oriented.
Planning weeks or even months in advance, she explained, helps prevent last minute stress. A strong understanding of FUSA’s sturcture and operations is also essential, especially for students new to student government. Beyond logistics, Sabogal highlighted open-mindedness as a defining trait of effective leadership. “We are here to serve the students,” she said. “Listen to those around you to be a compassionate and thoughtful person and leader.” Sabogal credited support from fellow FUSA members, including Vice President Amaia O’Brien, for helping her push through discomfort
running and staying focused serving the student body. She hopes this year’s candidates will do the same. “My hope is that even if it feels scary, you do it anyway,” she said, “and keep your goal of supporting the student body the center of your work.” Although the election is still underway, Sabogal expressed confidence for the future of FUSA and their potential to bring fresh ideas to the organization. “At the end of the day, everyone involved in FUSA is working toward the same goal: improving the student experience for every Stag,” she said.