Recently, I wrote about my 12 tips for career fair success. After attending our university's Career Fair last week, I would like to now share my 13th tip for Career Fair success based on what I observed. It's to have an open mind and explore opportunities with as many employers as possible. Look beyond the big, brand name companies. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you find. I spent a large portion of my time directing students to employers they hadn't considered approaching, and they were happy that I did because they found out about internship and job opportunties they wouldn't have otherwise. Remember too that all companies have cross-functional departments so don't just focus on the industry they're in. For exmaple, if a software company is recruiting, you might think that they only want MIS or computer science majors. But a software company also has a marketing, accounting, finance, and operations department.
Also remember that, while your major and academics are important, employers are also looking for transferable skills when looking to hire an intern or grad. One woman I met at an employer table told me that she had majored in English and was now working in a sales development role. So start expanding your horizons when exploring your career options. You'll be glad you did.
