3 Steps for Career Fair Success
Though the UC Davis student in your life may have just gotten to campus, it is not too early for them to take actions that will help them have a career position or graduate school acceptance in hand when they graduate. Internship and Career Fairs are a great way for students of all class levels to explore career options while learning about opportunities and employers they may have not considered.
Many have the false impression that Internship and Career Fairs are just for seniors. First year and transfer students can gain a great deal from the experiences as well. The truth is, career fairs can be intimidating, even to seasoned networkers. This often keeps students from attending. We want to change that! The pandemic has limited the opportunities this particular group of students has had to interact with professionals, potentially making it even more uncomfortable for students to get started. Despite the discomfort, it is critically important to get practice. Professional interactions are still an integral part of every workplace. Career fairs are an ideal venue for developing professional communication skills.
We want to make it easy for your student to take advantage of the chance to meet with employers interested in hiring UC Davis students. Here are three steps to take to make the most of the Fall Internship and Career Fair, hosted by the Internship and Career Center (ICC) on October 12 between 10am-2pm, at the University Credit Union Center (UCUC), formerly the ARC Pavilion.
1. Research Companies Attending the Fair
Nearly 150 companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations from Sacramento, the Bay Area and across the nation attend specifically because they want to hire UC Davis Students. With so many employers, it can be hard to know where to start. So, prior to attending, your student should do research. Students will find a list of employers attending the fairs, including information about the organization and the position(s) they are hiring for in Handshake. While exploring companies, students are able to “follow” employers they may want to connect with at the fair. Reviewing the attendee list, is one way students find out about companies they had never heard of before and are often pleasantly surprised by the opportunities they find.
If your student would like to learn more about using Handshake, and its many functions, the ICC offers drop-in peer advising Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm.
2. Get Your Resume Reviewed
Even if your student is simply attending the career fair to explore options, it is still worthwhile to have an updated resume in case they see a position of interest. The ICC is here to help! On October 11th and 12th from 11am-3pm we will offer Resume Boost, a time for students to drop by the Internship and Career Center, located in South Hall, to have their resume reviewed. It will boost your Aggie’s confidence.
3. Show up!
In-person career fairs can overwhelm the senses. Don’t let the intimidation factor deter. It’s ok to listen to conversations other students are having with employers. We encourage students to attend career fairs early during their time at UC Davis to get accustomed to talking with employers and to learn about companies, positions and programs they might not otherwise learn about. Attending career fairs often helps to increase confidence about what to expect and the kinds of opportunities available and the approachability of employers. Many of the reps at the fair are recent UC Davis grads who remember what is was like to be a student. They try to put people at ease and are anxious to hire their next colleagues – ideally fellow Aggies!
The ICC is here to help your student make the most of the Internship and Career Fairs, an integral step in their career development. Encourage them to visit us in South Hall, Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm and on-line 24/7 at https://icc.ucdavis.edu/ to learn more about the resources we provide.