Career fairs give students a ‘leg up’ against competition

Career fairs are a great way for students to get their names out into the professional world. Each year, the university hosts two large all-major career fairs:  one in the fall and one in the spring.

This semester, the Fall Career Fair is a three-day event from Tuesday, Oct. 6, to Thursday, Oct. 9, during which more than 270 employers will be looking to hire for internships and full-time positions, including more than 50 government organizations and more than 30 nonprofit organizations, according to Wil Jones, special assistant to the director and Fall Career Fair co-chairman.

"Students who participate in our fairs report higher job offer numbers than those who do not as indicated by the UM Graduation Survey that the Center conducts each year," Jones wrote in an e-mail. 

Students can research the companies that will be present at this semester's fair at the University Career Center's website, www.careercenter.umd.edu/fairprep.  

"The number one piece of feedback we receive from employers about our students being prepared is the need to research the company prior to the event," Katie Ryan, public relations and marketing advisor, said in a letter to students.

Ryan also advised students to bring many copies of their résumé, dress for success, not be discouraged if the employer asks for an online application instead of a résumé and relax because students who participated in the fair get a "leg up" in the competition.  

For students looking into finally finishing college and joining the workforce, applying for internships or just learning more about their fields, the fair is a great place to get started.

Jones said he encourages "all students to prepare for the career fair because you can't stay in school forever."

ga@umdbk.com