What traditionally has been a once per semester in-person career and internship fair has expanded into five focused virtual offerings coordinated by the Office of Career Services and starting later this month.

These fairs, all running 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, are organized by what industry students might be interested in via the following schedule:

  • Business: Sept. 23
  • STEM and Healthcare: Sept. 30
  • Public and Human Services: Oct. 7
  • Communication, Media and the Arts: Oct. 14
  • Education: Oct. 21

In addition, a virtual fair for those looking to enter graduate school will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 28.

Besides the need to limit in-person gatherings, this approach dovetails with research the Office of Career Services has done with employers, and what can benefit students, said Jackie Wallace, the office’s assistant director and career coach for education, public and human services. 

“It’s evolving out of a lot of the professional development and research we’ve done over the summer and going back to spring,” Wallace said. “A lot of what we’re hearing is that employers are more interested in doing targeted recruitment, in meeting students in majors they’re interested in.”

Students will be able to participate in half-hour group overviews or 10-minute one-on-one appointments with recruiters offering jobs and internship opportunities. The experience can be less intimidating, and more fruitful, than the traditional approach of walking into a room filled with booths of recruiters.

Customized connections

“It’s more customized, and it’s focused on our industry model,” said Wallace, referring to the office having career coaches and activities focused on specific job areas. “Having the fairs be smaller can make for better conversations. It allows students to register and get to know the employers who are there in advance.”

Career Services has seen a healthy interest from employers, with student sign-up just beginning but appearing promising. The virtual nature of the event offers another advantage for students.

“Instead of talking to regional representatives, students can meet recruiters who are from out of the area because they don’t have to travel,” Wallace said. “This opens up a lot of possibilities, and provides an opportunity to develop connections with recruiters we haven’t had a relationship with.” 

Students interested in participating should visit the HireOz by Handshake website to register or learn more about these fairs.

For more information on Career Services offerings and support, visit the Career Services website or email careerservices@oswego.edu.