Tips and Advice for the GW Career Exploration Expo

The in-person GW Career Exploration Expo returns to the University Student Center (USC) from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11 and Thursday, Sept. 12.

The Expo is a student-led initiative, engaging both undergraduate and graduate students to explore possible career opportunities. In partnership with the Center for Career Services, this event event provides attendees with the chance to find potential jobs or internships and network with employers.

The two-day Expo takes place in the Grand and Continental Ballrooms on USC's third floor and will host approximately 75 employers. Wednesday's event features companies, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations across a wide spectrum of fields and industries, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Gallup, the U.S. Department of State, Dell Technologies, EnCompass LLC and the World Bank Group.

Thursday's fair focuses on STEM and Health fields, with participants such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Leidos, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.

GW students should register in advance.

Attendees are encouraged to wear professional, business attire to make a good impression in a way that makes them feel confident. Attendees are also encouraged to have several copies of their resume to distribute to potential employers, and they should prepare a brief and compelling elevator pitch-essentially a professional introduction about themselves. Career Services advises attendees to research the companies in which they are interested to better ask informed questions, in addition to being prepared and confident in themselves.

"Career fairs are just one avenue in the job search journey, but they are great opportunities to meet with a lot of employers at once," said Associate Vice Provost for Career Services Kelley Bishop. "Learning to articulate your career interests and capabilities is an essential skill. Every interaction at the career fair offers a chance to refine your approach, so you improve quickly."

Here are other tidbits of advice from Career Services, broken down by year in school, for GW students planning on attending the Career Exploration Expo:

FIRST YEARS

• Use this time to see what a big career fair is like-this is great exposure to explore different career options and industries.
• Begin building professional confidence by talking to recruiters and other students. Sign up for a GW Career Connect account to learn about alumni.
• Practice researching different companies and their cultures.

SOPHOMORES

• Refine goals and start narrowing down career interests.
• Internship Search: Explore internship opportunities related to fields of interest. The Career Services' Career Options sheets can help with that.
• Establish a professional online presence, such as GW Career Connect and a LinkedIn profile.

JUNIORS

• Continue the internship search and think about how strengths and experience can benefit employers.
• Continue to follow up with networking leads and conduct informational interviews to gain industry and career knowledge.
• Targeted resume building: Update resumes with relevant experiences and skills and consider having a couple of versions to suit different needs (i.e.-a marketing/social media resume and a government/Hill staffer resume).

SENIORS

• Job search: Actively look for entry-level positions and learn more about applying to the jobs from Expo employers.
• Networking: Refine pitches and deepen professional networks; follow up with leads in a timely manner.
• Hone professional communication skills and be ready to articulate post-graduate goals/ideas.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

• Research opportunities: Explore postgraduate opportunities, such as research positions or advanced degrees.

• Networking at a higher level: Find out more about professional groups and associations to find connections to the employers. Be able to tell a story about professional experiences.

Additionally, there will be events the week of and week before the Career Expo. Here is a breakdown of those events:

• Friday, Sept. 6
  • Virtual Lunch and Learn: Create a great resume for the Career Exploration Expo, noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 9
  • RESUMANIA: Prepare for the Fair Resume Review, noon-3 p.m.
  • Job Search Strategies for International Students, 6-7 p.m.