Career Center

With the Education Career Fair and the Career & Graduate School Fair approaching, I thought we should discuss making the most out of a career fair. Here are 5 ways you can be a success at the Career Fair.

1. Before the career fair do your research! The Career Center has a list of all participating organizations on our website for your convenience. Research them, find out exactly what they do and what they have to offer you. By doing your research you can develop questions to ask the recruiters and make a positive lasting impression.

2. Take at least 20 copies of your resume with you to the Career Fair. You may only have 5 or 10 organizations in mind, but you need to be prepared in case you see one you had not thought about. Approach as many organizations as possible.

3. Dress to make a great impression. Come dressed to impress the recruiter. If you are actively seeking a job or internship wear a business suit. The recruiter needs to be able to picture you in their work environment. If you are just on a fact finding mission and trying to discover exactly what is out there, wear at least business casual. No jeans, flip-flops, spaghetti straps, or unprofessional wear.

Talk to all the employers and smile!

4. Go up to the recruiters. Don’t wait for the recruiters to come up to you. You need to be proactive in the job search, not reactive. Also, gather company literature, applications, and most importantly business cards.

5. Say a simple thank you after the Career Fair. For the organizations that you are really interested in and spent time with at the Career Fair, send the recruiters thank you notes within 48 hours of the fair. This will let the recruiter know that you are really interested and refresh their memory of who you are.

For more tips on making the most out of the Career Fair check the Career Fair Video on the Help Guides web page.

The Education Career Fair is next Monday in the Stern Center Ballroom. We are expecting nearly 50 school systems and educational organizations from South Carolina and nation wide. You can find out more about who is coming on the Career Center website. Education majors you have specific schedules that you will follow for attendance. All other majors and alumni are invited to attend as well between the hours of 11:00 am and Noon. You may also have the opportunity to set up an interview for that day while meeting the different representatives.

Also next week is the Career & Grad School Expo on Wednesday, October 29. The event will be in the Gaillard Auditorium on Calhoun Street (easy walking distance) from Noon to 3:30 pm. If you do not feel like walking the Career Center will be providing a shuttle van for students. It will pick you up in front of the Stern Student Center.

We are expecting approximately 94 companies, graduate schools, and non-profit organizations. There will be a little bit of everything for everyone. Check out the list of participating organizations on our homepage: http://www.cofc.edu/~career/.

Also, on our homepage you can find more tips for preparing for the Career Fair including a video tutorial. Do not forget to dress in business attire and bring copies of your resume. Good luck and see you at FutureQuest!

The Major/Minor Fair, hosted by the SGA, will be held on October 16th from 11am – 2pm on Physicians Promenade. This is an great opportunity for you, the undecided student, to learn about the variety of majors and minors offered at CofC. Also, it’s a chance for you to speak with faculty and other students about their respective major(s) – Ask questions, pick up some info, and who knows what else you may walk away with (freebies?!)…

Even if you’re not truly undecided, but have an idea about which major you intend to declare (or just haven’t committed to it on paper because you don’t know where the department is located) – this event is for you, too! Stop by and check it out on the 16th.

If you’re still having difficulty choosing a major after attending the fair, please contact your academic advisor in the Academic Advising and Planning Center or contact us at the Career Center for an appointment – we’re here to help!