By: Phillip Kent
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Career fairs present opportunities to meet recruiters eager to connect with upcoming students. You can expand your networks and qualifications for interesting occupations.
According to 2024 NACE survey, out of 20,482 students, over half attended a career fair at their university. This cleared the second-place method of typical meet and greets. Employers are looking for professional candidates who are ready to step up to the plate and be assertive. You can even attempt a short job interview on the spot. Bring a resume and make time to think of responses for common interview questions if possible.
The University of Arkansas offers these fairs for every career path each semester. Sydney Dunavant, a business graduate student, provided a perception of why these events are critical for not only the upperclassmen looking for jobs now, but also for the future underclassmen.
“The goal of the business fair is really just to talk to students that we have here on campus, that are interested in continuing their education even further than their undergrad.”
These fairs give students the chance to meet directly with program directors, where they can ask more program-related questions in terms of what their outcomes can look like. While the facilitators, like Sydney, can help students with admissions and applications for the program.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is the importance of networking, building the relationships, and realizing how small of a world we live in… someone you met four or five months ago may be the way you get your internship experience.”
Along with the best professional minds the Walton College has to offer, students find their unique way of expanding their business portfolio. Sydney herself said she came to the University as a biology major during her undergrad.
“The professors that I’ve had have been top-notch and you can really tell they understand the curriculum and the classes that they’re teaching in.”
Internships are the bridges to cross into the career-defining jobs of the real world. They are the transitional period from learning as a student, to working as an employee and possibly an employer.
“Through my internship experience that I got within the MBA program, I have been able to see first-hand the stuff that I learned in class transfer directly to the corporate world.
Sydney left us with this when asked about her goals post-school.
“The biggest goal would be to run a business, whether that be a CEO of a large company, or a VP and run my own team… I just want to be a good leader and have a team that enjoys working for me.”
Fair managers and program directors are highly encouraging students to participate in these events to help reach their full potential in navigating life.
The next Walton College Business Career Fair will be on March 4th, from 9:00-3:00 with a lunch break between 12:00 and 1:00 at Bud Walton Arena.