Eagles with professional aspirations warm up for spring Career Fair

Morehead State University students have access to numerous resources geared toward their own personal success. Thanks to MSU’s Office of Career Services, Eagles can gain a professional advantage in their college journey and career goals through attending the Spring Career Fair on Tuesday, March 5.  

At MSU’s Career Fair, you can connect with more than 100 employers and graduate programs all while learning about full-time and part-time jobs, internships, co-ops and summer jobs.  

“Employers expect graduates to have hands-on experience in the field and the Career Fair connects our students to internships, co-ops, and more,” said Megan Boone, interim director with MSU’s Office of Career Services. “The Career Fair is an excellent opportunity to make personal, face-to-face connections with recruiters. Come professionally dressed and ready to network.” 

Boone also said it's important for underclassmen – even freshmen – to make attending a career fair a priority.  

“The Career Fair has something to offer any student, regardless of where they are in their student journey,” she said. “First-year students can gain a sense of what professional networking and job search looks and feels like. Plus, it’s a chance for students exploring career options to chat with professionals in their fields of interest. It is a great way to gain information and advice to differentiate yourself.”  

Students should take the time to do a bit of preparation before they attend the Career Fair:  

• Dress the part. Make sure you are dressed in business attire and potential employers will immediately take you more seriously. If you don’t have a suit or business jacket, feel free to visit the Suit Bank in the MSU’s Office of Career Services. If you find something that you like and that fits, you can have it without charge. 

• Bring copies of your resume and have an introduction prepared that will serve as what Boone calls your “30-second commercial.” 

• Research the companies and schools that will be in attendance and be prepared with questions to ask them. A representative with Cintas Corporations puts it well, “Come to the Career Fair prepared by researching the companies. When you walk up to the table, maintain eye contact and initiate the conversation. It always impresses me and allows us to have a meaningful conversation when students know about Cintas.” 

• Taper expectations. Some students think they will walk into the Career Fair and walk out with a job. While this can happen, it’s often not the case. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a job interview, land an internship or do some networking that may prove crucial down the road. “It’s as much about who you know as what you know,” Boone said.  

Students who attend the Career Fair will also get the chance to receive a free professional headshot they can use on their LinkedIn page and other social media accounts. In addition to the benefits of dressing the part, the students who are coming to the Career Fair prepared will be meeting employers who are genuinely seeking potential new employees or interns. 

“Attending the Morehead State University Career Fair gives the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service the opportunity to meet our future interns and leaders first hand,” said Mia Farrell, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service human resources specialist. “It is great to put a name with a face and expose students and alumni to the plethora of opportunities that we have available.”   

The MSU Spring Career Fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, in the Adron Doran University Center ballroom. MSU students and alumni from all majors are encouraged to attend and the event is free and open to the public. Make sure you download the Morehead State Career Fair Plus app, a free application that is available at both Google Play and the Apple App Store.   

In addition to the Career Fair, MSU Career Services is offering several workshops and events to give students more helpful tools, knowledge and opportunities.  

For more information about MSU Career Services, call 606-783-2233 or visit www.moreheadstate.edu/career.