Students and alumni in education and related fields have an opportunity to connect with school districts at the Education Career Fair from 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, in the Bone Student Center. Administrators, superintendents, and other employers from the field of education will be identifying candidates for their open positions.
The Education Career Fair is an excellent opportunity for students to meet with those who are hiring candidates for the fall. However, the event is not just for those who are graduating. “It is important that students from all class standings attend the Education Fair, including non-seniors,” said Career Advisor Renee Carrigan. “This allows students who may not necessarily be looking for a job right now to be able to meet employers, find out what skills they are looking for, and get a perspective of how the career fair works. It’s their chance to get a sneak peek into their job search without the pressure of needing to get a job right away.”
Fair preparation
Students attending the Education Career Fair are invited to InstaCareer, a career preparation session from 4–7 p.m. Monday, February 12, in the Bone Student Center. Participants rotate through various stations to learn firsthand from recruiters how to properly introduce themselves to employers, make a good first impression, dress appropriately, research companies and positions, and follow up with employers after career events.
In addition to InstaCareer, the Career Center is also hosting Hiring Tips for Education Majors the night before the Education Career Fair from 7–8 p.m. in 206 DeGarmo Hall. A panel of school administrators will share what sets teacher candidates apart when reviewing résumés and cover letters, general expectations of them at career fairs, how to complete online applications, and how districts manage job offers. Students will also have the opportunity to network with the speakers. Afterwards, bring your résumé to Late-night Résumé Reviews from 9–11 p.m. at Milner Library. Trained career ambassadors will provide feedback on how to make your résumé stand out to employers.
The Career Center also provides a number of resources to help students to prepare for connecting with employers at the Education Career Fair:
- Career Resource Guide–Contains helpful tips and advice such as how to construct an effective résumé/curriculum vitae and cover letter, commonly asked interview questions, and more.
- Drop-in hours—Receive quick feedback or helpful tips from trained Career Center representatives.
- Career fair online video—Discover what a fair is like and get useful tips for when you attend.
- Careers by Simplicity app–Visit your app store to download the “Careers by Simplicity” mobile app. Identify which employers to visit at the fair and check out their websites so you know more about them before meeting. This will help to answer the popular question, “What do you know about our organization?”
- Résumé paper and printing, and business cards—Available free to Illinois State students.
- Social media—Visit the Career Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for fair updates, helpful preparation tips, and more.
For more information or to request special accommodations to attend this event, visit the Education Career Fair.
The Career Center assists all Illinois State University students with developing, evaluating, and implementing career decisions.
