Student Resources and Preparation Tips

Even if applications happen online, career fairs give you something the internet can’t: a personal connection. When you meet recruiters in person, they get to know your name, face, and story. That connection can make your application stand out later.

Many employers use online systems for hiring, but they come to campus to meet students, answer questions, share insights, and find future candidates. Building those relationships early can pay off down the road, especially since many recruiters return to UW–Madison every year.

Absolutely! Career fairs aren’t just for juniors and seniors. They’re a great way to explore options and learn how fairs work. Many employers hire for early internships or have opportunities for underclass students. Even if you’re not job hunting yet, showing up now helps you practice professional conversations and build confidence for future fairs.

Yes! You don’t need a specific career goal to gain value from the fair. Think of it as a chance to explore: talk with professionals in different industries, learn about roles you didn’t know existed, and discover what sparks your interest. Every conversation gives you new insight into what you might (or might not) want to pursue.

Employers appreciate students who take initiative and show curiosity. Attending even just to ask questions is a professional move that demonstrates your interest and motivation. Recruiters know not everyone is there to apply right away. They value students who are engaged and eager to learn.

That’s completely okay. You can focus your conversations on learning about the organization, its culture, and what skills or experiences they value. Ask recruiters what they look for in candidates or what advice they’d give to students interested in their field. Think of it as a learning conversation, not a sales pitch.

You don’t have to talk to everyone! Before you go, browse the employer list on Handshake and pick a few that interest you. Jot down a couple of questions you’d like to ask. You can also attend prep workshops or talk with your career services office to plan your approach. With a little preparation, you’ll feel much more confident once you’re there.

Yes! Many employers hire across majors and skill sets, even if their organization isn’t in your field directly. You might find roles in communications, data analysis, project management, or customer engagement in all kinds of industries. Keep an open mind, and you may discover opportunities you hadn’t considered before.

Think of career fairs as the start of a longer journey, not a one-time event. A short conversation might not lead to an immediate offer, but it helps you build confidence, learn about employers, and make connections that can benefit you later. Every fair you attend adds to your network and prepares you for future opportunities.

We encourage students to wear business casual attire. A full suit isn’t necessary (unless you want to wear one)!

View the descriptions, attending employers, and job roles listed for each fair to determine whether it might be of interest to you. You are encouraged to attend as many fairs as you’d like!

The all-campus Career & Internship Fair will have employers representing a wide variety of industries and job roles, while other fairs might be more specific to certain industries or organizations. View attending employer information on Handshake.

For the in-person all-campus Career & Internship Fair, registration is not required, but it’s a good idea to review the fair in Handshake to learn more about the attending employers.

For any virtual fairs, you will need to register in advance and sign up for sessions with employers via Handshake.

Yes! First year students can attend to learn more about companies and potential job opportunities. Employers that are open to meeting with first year students will be marked at the fair.

• What skills or traits do you look for in candidates?
• What is your company’s hiring timeline?
• What are some of the key responsibilities of this job/internship?
• What is a typical career path for someone coming in at my level?
• What kind of training program does your organization have? Formal/Informal? Short term/Long term?
• What is a day like in this position?
• What type of formal education is required for entry-level, mid-level, upper-level, positions?
• Do people filling this type of position work in a structured or non-structured environment?
• How is performance evaluated? How often?
• What degree of task variety would a person see in their first year?
• What opportunities did you take advantage of while you were in college to help you prepare for your job?
• How much client contact do you have?