As spring semester takes off, some of us are beginning to think about our summer plans. The unpleasant stress of finding a job or internship can be very overwhelming. Luckily, you can get a jump start on this search by attending Spring Career Days at Penn State University Park next month
Spring Career Days is on February 5 & 6 at the Bryce Jordan Center from 11AM- 4PM each day. Non- technical full-time, internship, and co-op recruitment is on Monday, February 5 and technical full-time, internship, and co-op recruitment is on Tuesday, February 6. This is a two-day event open to anyone. Here is how you can prepare to make the most of this opportunity.
Polish Up Your Resume
A resume is a summary of your skills, knowledge and relevant experience. Before Spring Career Days, it should be updated and reviewed by at least three other people. It must be free of spelling, grammatical and formatting inconsistencies and include an objective statement, education and experience. Drop-in Career Counseling is held on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Bank of America Career Services Center. This is a great resource for resume review help.
Attend Prep Workshops
Penn State Career Services has planned 13 workshops to help students prepare for Spring Career Days. These cover topics ranging from job search planning to interviewing tips, to managing and negotiating offers. Check out the complete schedule here.
Do Your Research
The list of employers attending can be found here. Research in advance what companies are coming to the fair and which ones you want to speak to. By narrowing down the list of booths you want to visit, you can make the fair as small or as big as you want!
Download The App
Employers will not be arranged by industry or alphabetical order. Use the Spring Career Days App to navigate the Bryce Jordan Center like a pro. Search “Penn State Career Success” in your app store! The app gives you the ability to make notes on specific companies, map out your routes, and learn about the companies attending all in one place.
What to Wear & Bring
Wear a clean, pressed suit (pants or skirt), a professional tie and comfortable dress shoes. If you are in need of business clothing, Penn State Career Services is hosting a Professional Attire Closet from Jan 22-26 at the Bank of America Career Services Center. For Spring Career Days, a coat check will be available, but bags are not permitted in the venue. Bring multiple copies of your professional resume in a portfolio or folder. It is recommended that you also have a notebook or paper to jot down upcoming interview appointments information sessions, or other notes.
Go into the career fair with confidence. You have unique skills and abilities that any company would be lucky to have. After the fair, follow up with each recruiter you spoke to. Be prepared for interviews and information sessions during the week of Spring Career Days. We’re wishing you nothing but success on your job/ internship/ co-op search!
by Bailey Weber