When I first heard about the career fair, my initial reaction was “why should I go if I’m only a freshman? I’m not looking for a full-time job yet”.  I didn’t know what to expect. The whole experience seemed daunting. It was incredibly scary to imagine myself talking to potential employers. Plus, I had no idea what I was supposed to do at the actual fair.  

I ended up talking to members of the Career Team and learned a lot of what to expect from handshake. SO here are the important things to know if you are considering going to the next career fair (which I highly encourage): 

1. The purpose of the event is to teach students about possible career paths and connect students with people working in all sorts of areas. 

  • There is no obligation to commit yourself to a company right away, but you can feel secure in having a connection in a field of work you are interested in that can answer questions you may have about the company, the job, and its qualifications. 

I spoke with a few companies who were looking for full-time employment. They weren’t dismissive of me when they found out I wasn’t a potential candidate, instead they were very interested in what sort of career path I was looking for. They encouraged me to ask them questions about their own career journeys and reassured me that I don’t need to have everything figured out right now. They actually told me to not limit myself by trying to create a path. They shared that opening their minds to different possibilities led them to the career they have now.  

I’ve always been a planner, so this was a hard thing to come to terms with but honestly it was for the better. I’m no longer stuck in this singular line of thinking and I’m instead able to keep my options open and mind open to learning about other careers.  

The employers also assured me that if I reached out to them with any questions, they would be more than willing to assist me in planning possible paths with my career. 

2. All you need is to bring yourself! (and a few resumes) 

  • Craft an elevator pitch about who you are, what you’re passionate about, and what you hope to do after school (once you practice it a couple times, it begins to become second nature). 

I spent ten minutes in front of my mirror, and even practiced in front of my roommates until I felt confident in my pitch. Your friends can be great hecklers to help with building your confidence. 

3. Talking to people is easier than you think (I’m talking to you my fellow introverts) 

  • It was a lot easier than I expected to talk to the employers, especially if I came with a couple of questions in mind before approaching.  

Conversation flows easily when you’re passionate about the company. One of my top companies at the last career fair was The Peace Corps. I ended up getting into a long conversation about the employer’s personal experience serving in The Peace Corps and even some stories about his co-workers. He loved serving so much he decided to continue to work for the organization. It was cool to see how far one decision can take you in life. 

4. You can see a list of all employers beforehand to help prepare 

  • If you’re anything like me, I need to know exactly what to expect and who I’ll see. 

Knowing who was going to be there helped me with crafting questions, and a game plan for who I would talk to first (starting with the least intimidating company and ending with the company I was most excited to talk to). 

5. Dress as if you already have the job 

  • A business casual outfit leaves a good impression 
  • This tied to a confident elevator pitch can show employers that you are a good candidate. 

I planned my outfit out the night before with the help of my roommates. It didn’t take long, but it did take a lot of thinking about how I wanted to present myself.  

I came to the career fair feeling uncertain and nervous even though I had followed all the recommended preparation. I left having gained a better understanding of what I’m looking for in a work environment and feeling more confident in selling myself and the skills I have to offer. The career fair is a great practice run in the professional realm, and a good low stress opportunity to build interview and networking skills. Look out for the next career fair on Wednesday March 12! You won’t regret going.