Unlike the twenty-something characters on the popular “Real World” television show, Mays College graduate students realize challenges await them upon commencement. To help ease the transition of entering, or often re-entering, the workforce, the college’s Graduate Business Career Services recently hosted its annual career conference. Unlike typical career fairs, the conference used a roundtable format, matching a handful of students with representatives from a particular company for a 45-minute discussion.

“Students like the fact that the conference provides a more casual atmosphere, and they are more comfortable asking questions and discussing job opportunities,” said Kaci Yates, coordinator of this year’s conference. Yates said representatives from more than 30 companies and approximately 300 students attended the two-day event, which was held in Reed Arena.