Although spring is the traditional time for job fairs, fall is grad school fair season. Whether graduate school plans are at the top of your mind or just a thought at this point in your academic career, it is important to consider the benefits of attending your campus or community’s upcoming graduate and professional school recruiting events. Graduate school fairs offer an efficient opportunity to meet with a number of universities and programs while making a personal connection with faculty and admission staff beyond an online application. Whether you are just considering grad school or are certain you will attend, you may still be apprehensive about attending upcoming graduate school fairs and events. If so, consider these tips and advantages for getting the most out of these events.
• Contact your career center early in the fall to let them know the schools or programs you may be interested in seeing at the fair. Most graduate programs recruit locally and regionally. However, if a program generates a lot of interest and applicants from a particular undergraduate institution, recruiters may be more inclined to add a school to their travel schedule.
• If you are undecided about graduate school, attend grad fairs to gain information to help with your decision. Representatives will be willing to share information about financial aid options, application processes, and other information that may be helpful as you choose programs, universities, or whether or when to apply.
• Network, network, network. Perhaps you have already applied to, or plan to apply to some of the programs represented at your campus or local graduate school fair. If so, plan to make a personal connection with the representatives at the fair. In addition, regardless of your plans, graduate school fairs are an excellent venue to practice networking skills, prepare for similar job fair events, and learn from recruiters whose priority is to connect with you.
Mike Caldwell
Director, Career Resource Center
Westminster College
Salt Lake City, UT