Fairfield University’s Career Center was originally set to host its annual Spring Career Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the RecPlex. The event was scheduled to be the first of three career fairs set to take place this semester.
In an email sent to students and all employers on Feb. 12, the Career Center announced “due to the winter storm warning in effect for the entire region, the University Career Center has decided to cancel the Career & Internship Fair scheduled for this Wednesday, Feb. 14.”
The email goes on to acknowledge that it was not an easy decision for the Career Center to make, but that they needed to prioritize the safety of employers, students, vendors and staff. They also stated “We are already looking for alternative dates for later in the semester and will keep students apprised.”
Junior Leslie Abbott, who was originally planning to attend the Fair, remarked “I am excited for the possibility of a snow day but disappointed about the Career Fair getting canceled. I am hopeful they will reschedule it before the end of this semester.”
In the meantime, students can continue to prepare for the Career Fair in the case that it gets rescheduled, while also looking to attend additional fairs that are set to take place later in the semester.
The Education and Human Development Fair will be held on Tuesday, March 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the BCC Oak Room, as well as the Nursing Virtual Fair on Tuesday, April 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. on Handshake. Outside of those two fairs, individual schools are set to host additional networking opportunities throughout the semester.
In the case that the Spring Career Fair occurs, it will likely feature numerous employers from multiple industries, eager to meet Fairfield students and relay information about job opportunities – part-time and full-time – at their organizations.
The full list of companies attending will be posted on Stags4Hire, also referred to as Handshake, closer to the official date of the Fair. Some notable organizations who were scheduled to attend this year include Bic Corporation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Gilbane Building Company, PwC, Vineyard Vines and several universities for those considering graduate school.
Last year’s Spring Career Fair hosted over 105 companies and organizations, with over 600 students in attendance. Many students held the event in high regard, as it allowed them to form multiple connections with employers and work on honing their networking skills.
When reflecting on her time at last year’s fair, Ari Karampekios ’25 remarked, “The Career Fair is a beneficial event to go to even if you don’t land an internship on your first try. I practiced networking which is crucial in any industry. I loved meeting new people from all different kinds of companies and being able to talk to them about future opportunities.”
To prepare for upcoming fairs and the job search process, the Career Center has been advertising resources for students looking for help with Stags4Hire, resumes, cover letters and networking skills. Information about specific workshops, such as the “Master the Interview” session on Feb. 21 from 10 to 11 a.m. on Zoom, can be found on Life@Fairfield.
Students are also encouraged to email the Career Center to schedule an appointment or drop in to meet with a Career Peer Advisor (CPA), whose schedules are also posted on Life@Fairfield.
While the Feb. 14 Fair has been postponed for the time being, students are still encouraged to complete their Stags4Hire profile and upload their current resume. They should also develop an elevator pitch to answer the question, “Tell me about yourself.” An elevator pitch is a short introduction of yourself, usually about a minute long, that lets the employer know more about you and why you might be a good fit for their organization. Hopefully, with this extra time, students will be even more prepared for the Career Fair when it is rescheduled.
For any questions regarding the fairs, students are advised to contact careers@fairfield.edu.
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