Madison Kwiecinski – Editor-in-Chief

Mvk5945@psu.edu

Penn State Behrend offers a unique opportunity for students to network and search for careers and internships in an on-campus setting at least once per semester, holding regular Career Fair events. This semester, on March 29, students can once again take advantage of this opportunity in the Behrend Junker center from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

This is not something students are expected to register for in advance, but rather is an opportunity for students to drop in and see if there are any potential employers they may benefit from talking to. This event is open and encouraged for students of any major, though some may find more employers in attendance that are beneficial to their career path than others. 

It is also worth noting that a virtual career fair will be held on Nittany Lion Careers in the fall. This event will be entirely virtual and also will require registration. 

“Penn State Behrend Career and Internship Fair is an excellent opportunity for you to discuss full-time, part-time, internship, and co-op opportunities with companies recruiting for all Penn State Behrend Majors,” reads the PSU Behrend website. “Come to the fair to see what job and internship opportunities are available for your major and build your professional network.” 

For those who are planning to attend, it is worth it to take note of several things you can do to improve your chances of having a successful interaction with an employer. For example, now is a perfect time to update your résumé, and maybe even visit Career Services to have them review it as well. 

Professional attire is also recommended for the Career Fair, though it is a little more lack than an official interview would be. Some students may stop by dressed in typical class attire because they notice the event on campus, but it is always best to dress to impress in these situations. 

Another beneficial way of preparing is setting up both a LinkedIn profile and a Nittany Lion Careers profile. Both of these online sites allow employers to come to you, on a platform where you present yourself professionally and already have your résumé attached and ready. 

Many of the employers who attend these events have Nittany Lion Career profiles and can view your profile if you search them out before the event even takes place. This is a unique and beneficial way of searching for jobs and finding good fits for you, as well as putting yourself out there to employers before you are even in front of them. 

Another great thing to have ready in any networking setting is your ‘elevator pitch.’ This is the summary of yourself you want to present to potential employers or contacts, the short way you would make an impression if you met someone in an elevator for example. This is something everyone should have a general idea of, and Career Services would also be able to help students create their pitch. 

On the day of the Career Fair, drop-in resume preparation is available in Career Services, located in the Reed Union Building, room 125. 

Behrend students should try to take advantage of the Spring Career and Internship Fair next week. This event is an excellent opportunity to network and meet potential employers in an on-campus setting. If you have additional questions regarding the event, stop by Career Services, located upstairs in the Reed Union Building.