The importance of career fairs

Thinking of your career aspirations in terms of the kind of job you would like to pursue in the future? Do research on different types of jobs to see which one piques your interest. The main thing is to know what type of person you are, because once you know what you want, it will be easier to choose a career.

There are many career options you can choose from. If you study accounting, for example, you can work as a financial analyst, budget analyst, business and financial consultant, or financial examiner.

In the more scientific fields, studying medicine can grant you job opportunities as a surgeon, doctor, vet, dental hygienist, and other professions.

In terms of individuals who already have a set career path they would like to engage in and venture into, career fairs offer an opportunity that should be seized.

As overwhelming as it can be sometimes, the opportunities are valuable. Career fairs are ideal for one-on-one interactions with company representatives and gaining first-hand knowledge.



Here are a few must-tries:

Carry a copy of your resume around to career fairs.

Why? Seize this opportunity to pitch your resume to the company representative. This way, you can get feedback on how to improve your resume. In some instances, companies might have vacancies and they could have a look at your CV and consider it for submission.

Sign up or volunteer yourself for any activities offered by your desired companies.

This gives you an opportunity to introduce yourself and leave a mark. Companies are most likely to better engage and consider you for future cooperation if they remember you. It leaves a mark of determination and persistence on your part.

Practice interview skills.

What better way to polish your interview skills than by preparing a set of questions for your potential employers? This gives you insight into what they are looking for and their procedures for classifying prospective interviewees.

At a career fair held earlier in the year by the University of Namibia, the university’s pro-vice-chancellor of finance and administration, Dr Ellen Namila, said career fairs also offer a platform to "expose our future freshmen to various courses offered at the University of Namibia, particularly when we are going through curriculum transformations. This update and exposure will assist them in making steadfast career choices, which are among the objectives and form the basis of this career fair and employment expo."

There is more to attending career fairs than just collecting brochures and going from stall to stall. Both corporate institutions and students benefit from them.

Make sure to walk away with more knowledge of how to secure your desired job.