The Spring 2024 Career & Internship Fair is officially almost here! Before you join us at the Retriever Activities Center (RAC) on Friday, February 9, from 11:30-3:30 PM, we wanted to share a few final tips and recommendations so that you are fully prepared for the event and get the most out of your Career Fair experience.

• Research Employers Beforehand. We are breaking records by having the LARGEST number of employers to date at this event! To ensure you're speaking to the right-fit companies for you on Friday, do your homework beforehand. Download the Career Fair Directory, make note of employers of interest, and plan your route in advance. You can review employers on Handshake as well.
• For International Students: this year we've included a page in the directory listing employers hiring international students. Be sure to check that out on page 6!

• Dress the Part. Your outfit for the Career Fair should not be an afterthought. Plan a wardrobe that aims to impress by selecting business casual or even business formal attire. Some ideas include: dress pants and shirts, suits, dresses, blazers, and jackets. Pick colors and patterns that show your personality but are also professional. Make sure what your wearing is comfortable too, as you'll be walking around the RAC. Give yourself room to breathe by not wearing something too form fitting, and comfortable footwear should be considered too.

• Have Your Resume Ready.  List your contact information, accomplishments, skills, and experience. Need a little help with your resume? No problem! We have some tips and samples here, as well as hold live drop-in hours at the Center. Once your resume is good to go, be sure to print out around 15-20 copies and keep them in a folder or padfolio for you to carry around, and bring them with you to the fair. You may also want to bring pens, extra paper, and a place to hold onto business cards.
  
  
• Perfect Your Pitch. So you've done your research, you look professional, and you have your resumes on hand. Now it's time to know what you're going to say to employers once you walk up to their booths. This is where your 30-second commercial, or elevator pitch comes in. For your pitch, you should let employers know who you are, highlight a few accomplishments, and how you'd bring value to their organization. You can practice your pitch using Big Interview, where you can practice answering the "Tell me about yourself" prompt.

By taking these tips and recommendations into consideration, you should have everything you need to make the most out of the Spring Career & Internship Fair. Best of luck out there, and we'll see you at the Career Fair soon! 

Join UMBC Financial Services and SFAC 23-24 at the upcoming Fee Forum where they'll discuss proposed changes to UMBC's Mandatory Fees, covering parking, transportation, RAC access, student support, and more. Your feedback is crucial in helping shape decisions that directly impact your campus experience.

Be a part of the conversation on February 12 from noon - 1 p.m. in the Admin Lecture Hall.  

The Career Center is collecting new and gently used professional clothing for "UMBC Suits You" as part of Career Month.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about dressing professionally and then be able to select one free outfit to use for job interviews, career fairs, networking opportunities and much more.. We are asking staff, faculty, alumni, and affiliates to donate new and gently used professional attire at collection bins around campus from February 19th - March 1st.

Starting February 19th, professional clothing can be dropped off at the following on-campus locations:

• The Shriver Center, Public Policy Bldg., 1st Floor - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)
• Career Center, Math/Psych 201 - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri) 
• Campus Information Center, The Commons, Lobby
• Admin Building, 1st Floor near elevators
• Performing Arts & Humanities Building, 1st floor across from the ticket booth