Pursue your professional aspirations this month at the MSU Career and Internship Fair

Morehead State University's Career and Internship Fair is an opportunity for students to make connections and start gaining hands-on experience to launch their careers. Eagles can gain an advantage in reaching their career goals by attending the Fall Career and Internship Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, in the Adron Doran University Center (ADUC) Ballrooms.    

MSU Career Fairs allow you to connect with regional, statewide and even out-of-state employers and graduate programs while learning about full-time and part-time jobs, internships, co-ops and graduate schools.  

"MSU makes it a priority to ensure our students engage in high-quality experiential opportunities as part of their learning experience," said Megan Boone, director with MSU's Office of Career Services. "Employers expect graduates to have hands-on experience in addition to the learning occurring in the classroom. The Career Fair is the signature event that connects students to employers and graduate programs to land internships and co-ops, as well as full-time jobs."  

Boone said it's crucial for undergraduates – even first-year students – to prioritize attending a career fair. The event is a great way to gain information and advice that will differentiate you from the competition.     

Jessica Yawn, a senior psychology major from Morehead, has taken advantage of the Career and Internship Fair throughout her college career.   

"The Career Fair is a great opportunity to talk to employers one-on-one and learn more about different career options with my major," she said. "The fair has boosted my professional confidence and made me a better candidate for jobs upon graduation. Everyone should attend."  

Students should do a bit of preparation to make the most of their time at the Career and Internship Fair:     

• Dress the Part - Make sure to dress professionally as potential employers immediately take you more seriously when you make a solid first impression. If you need 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 - Also, 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 - Be prepared with questions to ask them. A representative with Northwestern Mutual puts it well. "When you come to the Career Fair, have your resume ready in a concise and easy to read format. Be prepared by having some basic knowledge of the company and what we at Northwestern Mutual do so we can focus the time we have together on getting to know you. Ask the recruiter or representative what they are looking for in an intern or employee. Also, try not to be nervous. Know that we have been where you are and we are excited to meet you and learn about you."  
• Expand Your Network - It is never too early to explore industries and start building your network. You could be that student who walks out of the Career and Internship Fair with an offer to interview for a fantastic opportunity that you did not know existed. Many MSU graduates return to campus to recruit talent and are eager to assist current students in achieving career goals. "There are so many advantages to attending the fair, from making your name known to employers and graduate schools in your field to getting comfortable interacting in a professional setting," Boone said.      

Students who attend the Career and Internship Fair will also have the opportunity to receive a free professional headshot to use on their LinkedIn page and other social media accounts.   

"We want to ensure MSU students have the resources necessary to build a professional presence online and in-person," Boone said.   

Representatives at the fair genuinely want to recruit MSU students for jobs, internships and graduate schools, like Zach Miller, senior recruiter for AppHarvest.  

"Participating in the Career and Internship Fair gives AppHarvest an opportunity to meet and network with prospective candidates in-person and allows us a great platform to share our passion for the organization and let candidates express interest in our mission," Miller said. "We actively recruit for full-time, part-time, as well as internships. Morehead is our headquarters so to be able to connect with MSU students is an opportunity we're thrilled to participate in."  

MSU students and alumni from all majors are encouraged to attend. Make sure you download the free Career Fair Plus app available on both Google Play and Apple and find out who you can meet at the fair. Masks are required in the Adron Doran University Center. 

Thanks to MSU's Office of Career Services, Morehead State University students have access to numerous resources geared toward their success. Visit https://events.moreheadstate.edu/careers/#!view/all to see upcoming events focused on giving students more helpful tools, knowledge and opportunities.    

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