Ensuring students have resources to be successful
In less than a month, over 370 companies will be on the Michigan Tech campus for the Fall 2024 Career Fair. For many students, this will be their first opportunity to meet with recruiters in their fields of study. Career Services is making sure that these students have the resources they need to make the most of their first Career Fair.
At 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, Career Services hosted the First Year Students – Making the Most of Career Fair event. The event was led by two Advisors for Career Readiness and Professional Development, Natalie Anderson and Melissa Michaelson. Throughout the hour-long presentation, the two shared advice for students attending their first Career Fest and Career Fair at Michigan Tech.
The duo discussed many topics including the differences between the two events, researching companies ahead of time, and dressing to impress. The most important topics covered during the event were introductions and resumes.
Anderson explained that while incoming students may not have internship or co-op experience, this first Career Fair is for “building up that confidence and talking about what you do have.” One of the best ways to prepare is to practice a short introduction of yourself including your major, expected graduation date, career goals, and any relevant experience. This ensures that you get the most out of your short speaking time with recruiters.
Resumes are also an important tool to showcase any project work, internships, or relevant classes students may have experienced. The Career Services website is a great resource to find resume templates and stay informed on upcoming resume workshops by keeping an eye on the events tab.
For students debating on attending the Career Fair this year, Anderson emphasized the importance of attending the event for students who are not actively looking for a position. “Even if they don’t get something this time around, it’s a way of getting themselves used to that uncomfortableness of being able to network with people in a professional way.”
Michaelson also encourages all students to download the Handshake app to stay up to date on Career Fair and Career Services information. “Handshake is a place to make appointments with Career Advisors and to find out about all of our events, both in the employer events and the career guidance events. So it’s a very important place for students to get to.”
For students who are attending their first Career Fair and are looking for guidance, Career Services is hosting an identical event in the Library East Reading Room from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sep. 5. Additional help for students of any grade level can be found at the Administration and Student Services Building in Room 220 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. every weekday. This includes one-on-one assistance from the Student Coaches.
