Career Corner: Help Your Student Be Career Fair Ready
The only event of its kind this year, the Career Fair brings more than 100 employers to campus, offering opportunities for internships, full-time positions, and valuable career connections.
Hosted by Career Services, the fair will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center Fieldhouse.
At the fair, students can meet with employers who are already recruiting for spring 2026 and summer 2026 internships. Students can also take a free professional headshot.
Helping Your Student Make the Most of the Career Fair
Encourage Preparation: Students should research attending employers, update their résumé and LinkedIn profile, and practice their personal introduction.
Highlight Career Services Resources: Career Services will be offering multiple opportunities for drop-in résumé reviews and 1:1 coaching sessions to help students feel confident and prepared.
Why Career Fairs Matter for First-Year Students
As a parent or guardian, we encourage you to motivate your student to attend. Here’s why it’s especially valuable for first-year students:
Build Professional Skills: From creating a résumé to practicing introductions, students learn how to present themselves as young professionals—skills they will use in interviews, internships, and beyond.
Expand Their Network: Career fairs connect students with professionals across industries and with peers who share similar career interests, opening doors to mentorship, advice, and future opportunities.
Explore Career Paths: Talking with employers helps students learn about different industries, roles, and majors, giving them clarity as they shape their career goals.
Discover Internships: Many employers recruit interns at career fairs. Attending early can give students a start in gaining valuable experience.
Encouraging your student to participate is an investment in their future.
More than a networking event, the Career Fair is a powerful step in your student’s career journey. With preparation and encouragement, they will leave ready to build connections and pursue future opportunities.
Share this helpful checklist with your student to help them be “Career Fair Ready.”
- Polish your résumé - one page, no typos, action verbs
- Print 10-15 copies of your résumé
- Save a .PDF version for easy sharing
- Master your elevator pitch for your 30-second introduction
- Research companies you want to meet
- Prepare questions to show interest
- Dress the part – your first impression counts