Attend a Virtual Career Fair this Fall
Posted: September 15, 2020 | Author: Savannah Byers | Read Time: 3 minutes
This fall, the job and career fairs at Southern Utah University will be hosted by the Career Center in a 100% virtual format. Handshake, an online platform that connects students with employers, recently released new technology to make virtual career fairs more efficient. The video conferencing platform allows virtual fairs to closely mimic the in-person career fair experience.
Each virtual career fair will include appointment-based video conferencing with audio and chat options as back up alternatives. Students can connect with employers in either 30 minute group sessions or 10 minute one-on-one sessions. The appointment-based system eliminates waiting in lines to chat with employers. Students can register for as many sessions as they’d like, and up to 50 students can join each group session.
Job & Career Fairs Happening this Fall
There are three different fairs during the Fall 2020 semester. Students are welcome and encouraged to join each of them.
SUU Local Job Fair
- Who: All students
- Purpose: Connect with employers for open jobs that students can do while enrolled in school; jobs in the local Cedar City area or remote work
- When: Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Online virtual platform - join from any location!
- Cost: Free for students
- Details and Registration: SUU Local Job Fair - Handshake
SUU Career & Internship Fair
- Who: All students
- Purpose: Get hired for internships and career jobs, or explore what could be available in the future
- When: Wednesday, November 4, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Online virtual platform - join from any location!
- Cost: Free for students
- Details and Registration: SUU Career & Internship Fair - Handshake
SUU Accounting Meet the Firms Night
- Who: Accounting undergraduate and MAcc students and alumni, plus open-major students interested in learning more about opportunities in industry with these degrees
- Purpose: Find jobs with accounting firms, and explore opportunities
- When: Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Online virtual platform - join from any location!
- Cost: Free for students
- Details and Registration: SUU Meet the Firms Night - Handshake
How to Prepare for a Virtual Career Fair
Just like a normal career fair, students should be prepared to attend a virtual career fair. We recommend doing the following
- Set up your Handshake profile. Handshake is located in the resources tab on the mySUU portal. Add some basic information, including a profile picture and your resume, to connect further with potential employers.
- Register for the event on Handshake.
- Sign up for the group and/or one-on-one sessions with employers that you’re interested in at least a few days in advance. Though registrations are open until just a few minutes before each session, it is anticipated that they will quickly fill up.
- Find a good location for your video conference calls. Your location should have a non-distracting background, low noise levels, and a solid internet connection.
- Come ready with questions or talking points to your group and especially your one-on-one sessions. Research the employers you’ll be talking with to see what questions you have.
- Just like you would for a career fair in person, be sure to select a professional outfit that will impress potential employers.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increased demand for virtual options for career fairs. Handshake expedited the release of new online features that were already in the works. Updates and additional features will gradually be added to the platform.
For more information or if you have any questions, contact SUU’s Career Center. The Career Center is still open and holding remote appointments through Zoom videos. The Career Center is a free campus resource available for students from enrollment to retirement.
Tags: Career Center
