1,000+ Columbia students and Alumni, 114 Employers, Countless Connections

On Friday, February 16, 114 employers from across industries gathered at Lerner Hall for the 2018 Spring Career Fair. Over 1,000 Columbians attended the fair, which was open to students of all degree levels from across Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, General Studies, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, School of the Arts, and Barnard College. 

Alumni Spring Career Fair
Over 25 Columbia alumni employer representatives gathered before the fair for a group photo.

Diverse Industries & Opportunities Represented

Top industries represented at the fair were technology, consulting, engineering, education, and financial services, with additional representation from government, general business, media, and nonprofit organizations.

The 114 employers represented an array of opportunities, with 81 percent recruiting for full-time roles and 60 percent hiring for internships this summer. 

TIPS For STUDENTS from our RECRUITERS

Nine employers participated in “Backstage Pass” events before the fair, which were open to under-represented, first-generation, and veteran undergraduate students. During this event, student participants met with employers for advice on putting their best foot forward during the job search process. 

Recruiters offered the following tips to students in attendance at career fairs: 

  • Interpersonal and communication skills are extremely important—and transferable to any and every industry!
  • Practice Small Talk: Students should push themselves to go to networking events and informational interviews to gain practice with “small-talk.” This is a skill they’ll find themselves using all the time in the professional world—whether with clients or standing in the elevator with the CEO.
  • Develop an Elevator Pitch: When networking with employers, students should develop a pitch that goes beyond their undergraduate major. The takeaway: you are more than your major! Instead, students should introduce themselves by their area or team of interest within an organization.
  • Take the time to research! Students should look up employers before talking to a representative, even if it’s just a quick google search before approaching the table. Recruiters can tell when students are walking into the conversation with no background information. 

Want to learn about how you can best prepare for future career fairs?

 Visit CCE’s Career Fair FAQs page for more information.