Career Fairs provide students with unique opportunities to network with business and government representatives right on their own campus. Successful Career Fairs, like this one at Glendale Community College, help California Career Centers market their services, connect with students, faculty, and administrators, and build relationships with business partners. Here are some ideas to help you launch your best ever Career Fair.
Whether exploring the world of work and learning about employment opportunities, or seeking internships, cooperative education, and full time employment, the Fair benefits all participants. A Career Fair will help students meet with potential employees in a safe setting. It will bring community businesses to your campus. It will increase your Center's visibility. Holding a successful Career Fair gives you a unique opportunity/reason to interact with students, employers, faculty/staff, and administrators.
Review Getting Started, an event planner published by the Canadian government. While this publication is used to promote Canada's Career Week, suggestions on how to organize a team, publicize the event and build enthusiasm with contests, are all worth reviewing.
Gather the evidence of your success. How many students attended? How many employers participated? Send employers evaluation surveys. Gather feedback from students. Answer your own questions. Did you meet your objectives? What did you love about the event? What do you want to add or change next year? Identify and document the Student Learning Outcomes. Send formal thank you notes to all business participants, your committee, and other people who helped you with the event. Advertise your success with stories on your website, campus newspapers, and faculty email.