Iowa State University hosts one of the largest career fairs in the nation. That is pertinent for this upcoming year, as students prepare.

The career fairs, hosted by several colleges, are opportunities for students to network with potential employers and find internships, co-ops or full-time job opportunities.

Iowa State offers a variety of events and opportunities for students to better prepare for the career fairs, ranging from dressing up to getting one’s resume reviewed by industry professionals.

Tessa Brow, director of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Career Services, described the purpose of the career fair. 

“Students get to network and connect with employers and learn more about what real opportunities and industries exist out in the world,” Brow said.

Prepare 

There is a big emphasis on preparation for students. From perfecting a resume template to working on an elevator pitch, Iowa State offers resources for all. Brow offers preparation advice for students. 

“Students should still be preparing on how to talk about themselves, how they want to present themselves, with their outfit and other realities,” Brow said.

Last week, ISU hosted a Pop-up Shop at the Memorial Union to help students get free business attire, as well as JCPenney, which hosted a sale for students on Sunday.

Amanda Schickel, the director of Career Services for the College of Health and Human Sciences, recommended that students explore CyHire, a career service application for students at Iowa State, to research in depth about the Career Fair. 

“I would recommend students log onto their CyHire accounts, view the organisations attending the career fairs, and start to figure out who they might want to talk to,” Schickel said.

Schickel said clicking on various companies can show the type of opportunities they offer and what they are looking for, which can help students shortlist.

“If you talk to your Career Services office, they can help you brainstorm on that, and then being able to share that with employers,” Schickel said.

Adi Alevoor, a senior in mechanical engineering, pointed out the fact preparation is key when approaching recruiters. 

“There is a lot of conversions you’re going to be having… There are five hours total, you can’t meet every employer,” Alevoor said.

Alevoor also advised that students dress comfortably, keeping in mind the weather and the heat inside the buildings.

“If you’re comfortable doing that (wearing a suit), then go ahead do that. Just be aware that it can be hot,” Alevoor said. “I would say, dress up well, and if possible, just acknowledge the fact that it will be hot and roll with it.” 

Understand

Many students come to the career fairs with different expectations and this creates an avenue for completely different experiences. 

Brow emphasized the expectations that students should keep. 

“Treat it as a research project instead of a box to check or an opportunity that must be secured to be successful,” Brow said.

Brow also suggested an outlook students should have with their time at the career fair.

“Any student walking into a fair should walk away with another idea of things that are possible, that could be something else they want to pursue,” Brow said.

Schickel highlighted how career fairs are open for all students regardless of academic backgrounds, promoting that students should “figure out what their areas of interest are and what career fair best aligns with that.”

Alevoor agreed with his fellow students regarding how the pressure of the career fair may affect them.

“You may or may not receive a response, but being willing to accept the reality and being willing to just keep trying and pushing and just having an optimistic mindset,” Alevoor said.

Career fair events 

• Building Sector Fair – 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Alumni Center.
• Engineering Careers Fair Day 1 – Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Scheman Building and Hilton Coliseum.
• People to People Career Fair – 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Great Hall, Memorial Union.
• Engineering Careers Fair Day 2 – Noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 23, Scheman Building and Hilton Coliseum.
• Business, Industry and Technology Career Fair – Noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 24, Hilton Coliseum.
• Design conversations and connections – Noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 2, College of Design.
• Agriculture and Life Science Career Day – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14, Lied Recreation Athletic Center.

More information about career fairs can be found on the Career Services website.