Campus Life | October 16th, 2024

The Career Fair Was Rescheduled, But Here’s How to Get Ready and Stand Out in the Meantime

By: Jaila Dowdell

The New Date for FAMU’s Career and Internship Expo 

Florida A&M University (FAMU) has rescheduled its All-Majors Career and Internship Expo, postponed by Hurricane Helene, to Wednesday October 23, set to take place at the Al Lawson Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event offers students a valuable opportunity to connect with employers seeking interns and full-time hires. 

Efforts are being made to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the new date, providing students with the opportunity to connect with potential employers and take important steps toward their future careers. 

Making the Most of Career Resources Before the Expo 

While students wait for the career fair, they can still make good use of their time by taking advantage of several helpful resources provided by the Career and Professional Development Center. 

To prepare for the career fair, students can schedule a career coaching appointment with the Career and Professional Development Center. By visiting cpdcenter.com, they can select “Handshake” or “Schedule an Appointment” on the right side of the page. This link will direct them to the career coaching platform where they can book an appointment. Tamara K. Taylor, Director of Career and Professional Development Center provides information about the structure and purpose of the 30-minute career coaching sessions.  

“The session will be 30 minutes, in person or virtual. In that 30-minute session we will be able to assist the student with what to expect, how to prepare, and how to follow up with the organizations that they come in contact with,” Taylor said.  

Students can also schedule a one-on-one appointment or take advantage of Walk-In Wednesdays, where no appointment is needed. On Wednesdays, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., students can drop in for help with navigating the expo, including tips on networking and presenting themselves. 

Interview Preparation  

One of the key resources available is interview preparation. Students can participate in mock interviews, where they practice answering common interview questions and receive constructive feedback on their performance. These mock interviews aim to make students feel more confident and ready for real interviews by giving them the skills and practice they need to do well. 

The Career and Professional Development Center also offers resume help. Students can have their resumes reviewed to make sure they’re professional and stand out to employers. Advisors will give feedback on how to format the resume and what to include or remove to make it stronger. Auriel Patton, a public relations student expresses that receiving feedback on her resume helped her identify areas for improvement. 

“Getting feedback on my resume really opened my eyes to what I needed to fix, now I feel way more confident using it to find internships in marketing,” Patton said. 

Networking Mixer: Meeting Employers Ahead of the Expo 

In addition to the career fair, the networking Mixer will be held before the event, allowing students to meet some of the employers in a smaller setting. This mixer helps students break the ice and feel more comfortable approaching employers at the career fair. It gives students a chance to engage in conversations, ask questions, and learn more about the companies they’re interested in without the pressure of formal interviews. 

Beatrice Atindaana, Office Manager at the Career and Professional Development Center provides information about the importance of attending the Networking Mixer. 

“The Networking Mixer is an opportunity for students to speak with employers before the fair and have more time to interact with them,” Atindaana said. “With this, students can ask more questions and understand more about the company and what they offer,”.  

With the career fair just around the corner, students are encouraged to use these resources to be as prepared as possible. Whether it’s practicing interview skills, getting resume help, or attending the mixer, these opportunities are designed to help students succeed. Mark your calendars for October 23, and don’t miss out on this chance to take a big step toward your career!