My First Career Fair as a Grad Student: How I Prepared and What I Learned

The career fair tends to be one of the most anticipated events on campus -- and understandably so. As an international graduate student, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never been to a career fair in the U.S. and didn’t know how it worked. Looking back, it was an extremely useful experience, and much of that came down to how I prepared. Here is what worked for me and what I learned along the way! 

Before the fair, I booked an appointment with Career Services to review my CV and discuss my career aspirations. I’d recommend this to anyone! The advisor was great; he helped me tailor my CV to the U.S. market and gave me practical advice on how to approach recruiters. I left feeling much more prepared than when I walked in. I also attended the Career Center’s pre-fair preparation events. Imagine several rooms with game-like activities covering everything related to the career fair-- from professional attire to how to introduce yourself properly. We also got free swag, which is always nice! 

Next, I researched the employers attending. I read about what each firm does and their open roles, and I wrote down a few questions for the ones that interested me most. Handshake is a valuable resource for this since it has this information and more. I also checked which firms offer internships to international students. That saved me time on the day and meant I could focus on the tables where there was a real opportunity for me. 

The night before, I practiced my pitch in my head: who I am, what I study, what I’m interested in, and why I wanted to speak with them. Recruiters talk to a lot of people in a few hours, so you only have a minute or two to make an impression. This was advice from the Career Center, and having been to the fair, I can confirm it’s true. A few hours before the event, I also printed several copies of my CV. 

Then the career fair day arrived. Walking up to the first table was the hardest part. I felt nervous and wasn’t sure how the conversation would go. Once I started talking, though, it got easier. Most recruiters were friendly and happy to answer questions, and each conversation made the next one feel more natural. By the end, I was much more comfortable introducing myself. 

The fair was busy and full of energy, with students moving between tables and lines forming at the most popular employers. One tip: the Tufts career fair usually offers free professional photos. If you want a new LinkedIn photo, go early, because that line gets long quickly. 

All in all, my biggest piece of advice is to go even if you aren’t currently looking for an internship or a full-time job. Practicing your pitch and talking with employers is a valuable experience. The next time you attend, when you really are job hunting, the environment will feel familiar and you’ll be much more confident. I walked into the fair feeling nervous and walked out feeling more confident, with a clearer idea of the opportunities available to me and how to approach them. If you’re unsure whether to go to the next one, I strongly encourage you to prepare a little, be brave, and go. You’ll be glad you did (I was!).