What is a career fair and can I go as an exploring student? Great questions and then answer is yes!
The career fair or job and internship fair, is an opportunity for students to connect employers who are actively recruiting for both internship and full time employment. Traditionally, the fairs bring together students from all across the university who are looking for those opportunities, but it can also be a great chance for students who are exploring to see what sparks their interest.
Students are encouraged to check out the list of employers attending and do some research as to who the company is, what roles they are hiring for and then consider, what is anything is interesting to you. Creating a list of those that interest you will provide more structure to your day and help create excitement for who you plan to speak with at the fair.
Here are three tips from students about how to prepare for the fair as an exploring student,
- Do you research and keep an open mind! There are so many employers at the job and internship fairs, doing a little research beforehand will make you less nervous. Check out the list of employers that we provide on Handshake, but also look at the Handshake profiles of the company to see what they are hiring for.
- Prepare your pitch! Think about what you’d like to say to employer beforehand. Typically this includes introducing yourself and your major, a brief overview of your experience and how it might relate to the organization. You should also follow it up with a question indicating what you would like to learn more about from the recruiter.
- Think about your personal brand. Be aware of how you present yourself both in a resume and in what you wear to the fair. First impressions matter on paper and in person!
We hope to see you at the fair!
