Whether you are looking for a summer internship, hoping to land your first job after graduation or just want to network with employers, Case Western Reserve’s career fairs can be an important step in your journey.
The Division of Student Affairs’ Career Center will host the first career fair of the fall 2023 semester Thursday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Veale Convocation, Athletic and Recreation Center. Over 150 employers will be on site recruiting students of all majors for opportunities ranging from internships and co-ops to practicums and full-time jobs.
“Even though it’s easier than ever to find and apply for a job or internship, it’s increasingly difficult to talk to an actual human being about that opportunity,” said Drew Poppleton, associate vice president for careers and corporate engagement for the Career Center. “Career fairs give students a chance to ask questions and engage on a level completely beyond the reach of an applicant tracking system.”
Poppleton sat down with The Daily to share three reasons why career fairs like those at CWRU provide a unique opportunity for students to pursue jobs, co-ops and internships.
It’s your opportunity to make a lasting impression.
Employers keep attending our fairs because they get to meet our amazing students face to face, hear their stories, feel their potential and ask themselves how they can get these students into their organizations as soon as possible. We routinely hear from employers who visit numerous campuses each year that our students are among the best prepared—it’s the perfect opportunity to make a lasting impression and set yourself apart from other candidates. Additionally, employers typically send CWRU alumni as representatives, so this is a great chance to network, even if you’re not in the market for a position.
You’ll enjoy the experience, no matter your reason for attending.
Whether you’re attending a CWRU career fair to be recruited or simply see what it’s all about, staff and volunteers focus on the details and ensure everyone feels welcome. Students receive clear maps to help them navigate the fair, are supported by staff throughout the day and have access to several prep sessions beforehand. The team in the Career Center and all of our campus partners spend months planning the event so that the day-of execution is flawless.
You’ll make connections and benefit from it, even if you don’t land a job.
Whether it’s going out of our way to personally introduce a student to an employer representative, offering post-fair interview space, or surrounding the fair with relevant programming to expand its reach and opportunities, we do our best to ensure that everyone benefits—employer partners, students and the larger CWRU community. While not everyone will land an opportunity at the fair, the process begins there for so many students.
Learn more about the career fair, register and view the list of employers in Handshake.