Lindsay Newman- Audit Staff

Whether you are in the market for a summer internship or a full-time job, career fairs are definitely a great place to start. Even if the whole experience may seem intimidating at first, the benefits of attending as many career fairs as possible will undeniably outweigh the slight nervousness you might experience. Take it from someone who attended countless career fairs throughout college. They were never the first place I wanted to be; honestly they were usually the last. My roommates had to virtually dress me in my suit, put a resume in my hand and drag me out the door, but looking back, I am so glad that they did! Remember that you are going to be surrounded with people that are in the exact same boat. Be sure to make the most out of it and share resources with those around you. Maybe someone is looking for a full-time job but had an internship last year that would be perfect for you. Maybe someone just quit their job because it wasn’t the right fit, but knows their employer is hiring. Make an effort to talk to everyone, meet your peers and network! Networking is one of the most valuable tools you will gain from any career fair. Most career fairs are targeted toward local jobs, but even if you plan to move away don’t let that stop you from going. Without a doubt there will be recruiters there from many major corporations that can pass along your resume to the right people in your respective city. Another great advantage to being present at career fairs is it can open your eyes to all the opportunities that really exist out there! So what if you have always aspired to be an event planner? Maybe there’s a great sales job out there that would be perfect for you. Exposure to jobs that you may have never thought would appeal to you might really spark your interest and are worth looking in to. So, keep an open mind, talk to everybody there and genuinely listen what they have to say -you may find yourself really surprised. Even if you aren’t quite ready to take on a job or an internship, go anyway! Career fairs are the perfect place for you to practice being a professional. The more practice you have at events like these, the better off you will be. A firm handshake, adequate eye contact, and conversational skills don’t come out of nowhere. It’s a good idea to do a test run so that when the real time comes, you will be willing and ready to impress everyone you meet. So, remember even though career fairs may be intimidating, after all it is a “fair” and is supposed to be fun! Make the most out of every career fair that is available to you, and you will be really glad that you did.