Attend Fairs and Events

Attend Fairs and Events

Finding Career Events for You

At Career Services, we provide you with access to hundreds of career events year-round, featuring employers that are excited to recruit and connect with UCSB students. Whether you attend one of our premium career fairs or a more specialized recruitment event in a virtual or on-site format, there are many opportunities to learn about career opportunities. In addition to events that are offered through our services, other organizations on- and off-campus provide career events that may interest you.

At any career event, you have the chance to talk with employers about your qualifications and motivations to pursue a specific career path, as well as the work that they do and potential opportunities that are available. Your goal is to show that you are more than just your resume to make a human connection and begin building a relationship.

Click the button below to explore our events and check back often for updates!

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Introducing Yourself, the "Elevator Pitch"

Preparing for a successful career event starts with your introduction. For both virtual and on-site events, meeting an employer provides you with an opportunity to give a sense of who you are, what skills you have, and why you are a great fit for opportunities that the employer may have available. Sometimes referred to as an “elevator pitch,” this is a short and professional introduction that is designed to intrigue the listener.

We know it can feel a little frightening to introduce yourself to an employer for the first time. For most people, “eek!” is usually their body's first response, so we recommend using the E.E.K. format to guide your introduction. Click the items below to learn this memorable formula for success!

Finally, end your introduction with a positive and personalized statement that shows you have done your research. A statement such as “I was excited to see that you were attending this event because…” or “I am interested to learn more about the internship opportunities advertised on the company’s website, which seem to match my background in…” can kickstart a meaningful conversation.

Example Introduction for Undergraduate Students:

“Hi, my name is Darryl Robertson and I am currently studying economics at UC Santa Barbara. I have gained knowledge in finance and developed my customer service skills through part-time work at the student union for the past few years. Last summer, I completed an internship with The Museum of Modern Art where I became more familiar with the financial demands of the nonprofit sector. This summer, I am hoping to continue to increase my knowledge and skills in finance and business and would like to learn more about related opportunities that may be available within your organization.”

Example Introduction for Graduate Students:

“Hi, my name is Susan Hernandez and I am a third-year doctoral student in religious studies at UC Santa Barbara. I currently do research on how religious influences affect health choices and have developed skills in qualitative analysis and research design. I am interested in applying my previous skills as a Health Specialist and my interest in religious studies to work in hospitals and health centers in order to support the well-being of others. I believe that my skills in research methodology and interest in health fields make me uniquely qualified for positions in public health, and I would like to learn more about related opportunities within your organization.”

Once you have an outline ready, practice your introduction out loud multiple times. For further guidance on your introduction, click below to see tips based on event format. First impressions matter, so every tip counts!

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The elevator pitch is a powerful way to introduce yourself. You never know who is going to get an opportunity to help you in your career and network your career.

Having the Conversation

To make an authentic connection when you meet an employer at an event, you will want to have a conversation that goes beyond your initial introduction. This is a time when you and the employer can ask questions to each other. 

To form questions that are good conversation starters, consider asking follow-up questions about the information you have already learned.

Here are some example topics that you could raise during your conversation:

• The work that the organization does
• The opportunities that are available (in the present or future) 
• The role of the employer representative you are talking with
• The employer representative's professional background, motivations, or favorite aspects of their job
• The nature of a current event or recent trend that is impacting this type of work (stay generally positive)
   

Throughout your conversation, try to match your skills, experiences, and interests to the topics discussed. Look for opportunities to connect something you know or have done to the topics of discussion. This will help you provide a rich interaction that keeps the conversation going and shows off your shining strengths.

Offering Your Resume

During career events, your resume can be a powerful tool. While your goal should be to build quality connections with employers and not to hand out lots of resumes, a resume can help employers get a sense of your qualifications quickly.

To ensure that your qualifications stand out, review our tips about Resumes. Depending on the type of event you are attending, do your best to tailor your resume to the employers that you plan to meet with. About midway through or toward the end of your conversation, offer your resume to the employer, and be prepared to answer any follow up questions about the information you provide.

Because events provide an opportunity to have authentic interactions, in some instances, employers may be able to give you advice to optimize your resume for opportunities within their organization. If they do not volunteer this information on their own, you can ask for their advice to see if they are able to assist.

Finishing Strong

When your conversation reaches its end, take the opportunity to close it with confidence. Thank the employer for their time and ask them how you can stay in touch. Know that some employers are not able to give their contact information, but it is a good idea to ask for this before you leave. You can also restate your intended next steps, such as your plans to apply for a position that you discussed or research an opportunity further. 

Within 24-48 hours, it is important that you write a brief note to your contact to thank them for the conversation. For guidance, review our tips to Always Follow Up.

Additional Strategies for Specific Events

Career fairs, recruiting mixers, and employer information sessions use different approaches to connect you with employers. In addition to reviewing the above tips before attending any employer event, use the below strategies to prepare for the specific type of event you are attending. Always check the event description for complete details about any specific event you attend.
 

Career Fairs

At career fairs, dozens of employers participate all at once to promote their opportunities, give away free items, and talk to potential candidates. Most career fairs at UCSB feature employers hiring for full-time jobs, part-time jobs, and internships across a range of industries. 

To prepare for a career fair, always research employers in advance. You can look on Handshake to see the employers that are attending and make a list of the ones that suit your interests. Know what each organization does, which opportunities are advertised, and how your skills match up. Have well-researched questions ready to ask.

It can also be useful to rank the employers you want to talk with in order of preference. The longer you take to talk to an employer, the longer the wait could be and the more tired the recruiter may become. With this said, it can be helpful to ease into a career fair by talking with an employer that is not your number one choice, before you are ready to bring your best performance to the employers that matter most to you.

For virtual career fairs in Handshake, review our tips to Prepare for Virtual Fairs.
 

Recruiting Mixers

A mixer is type of recruitment event that features representatives from about five to 20 employers who mingle with students individually and in small groups. Similar to career fairs or any other event, it is advantageous to research the list of attendees in advance. 

To stand out at mixers, jump in and join a group conversation rather than waiting in line for a conversation to finish. Be sure to pay attention to the professional attire guidelines, as these vary per event. This is your opportunity to showcase your best networking skills, so you want to come in confident and prepared.
 

Employer Information Sessions

These events feature an employer representative who gives a brief presentation about their organization, the projects they work on, and the opportunities they have available. There is usually some time after the presentation to talk with the employer individually, which is a valuable opportunity for you to make an individual connection. 

Though this is a more casual environment than a career fair, be intentional with your plans when attending employer information sessions. For employers that you are hoping to impress, pay attention during their presentations. Presenters notice who is most engaged, and some of their information may spark questions you can ask later in the presentation or afterward. Review our tips to Arrange Your Attire based on the attire guidelines for the event.

Learn More

Succeeding at events requires advanced planning and visualization. Learn how to do your research ahead of time so that you make the most of this opportunity.