Prepare for Your Future Career at UW

 

When it comes to thinking about what my career path is going to look like post-grad, I am immediately filled with anxiety and stress, that is until I attended an ACES (Advising Career Exploratory Studies) Career Fair here at UW.  

Career fairs offer many opportunities to make connections with professionals in your desired field. Not only will you have the opportunity to make real connections, but you will also be able to discover what potential jobs are available to you once you become a UW graduate.  

After attending one of the UW career fairs, I made several connections with future employers that were passionate about helping me find the right career path for my future. Talking to these employers also helped me gain a sense of confidence for future job interviews, knowing that these employers are real people that are simply looking for someone who fits what they are looking for.  

What truly stood out to me was the personal interaction with recruiters and industry professionals. Each conversation was more than just an exchange of resumes; it was a genuine interaction about my interests, skills, and career aspirations. I was able to express to them what I hoped for my future to look like, and in turn they told me what qualifications and steps I should take to get there. I was able to discuss my background and goals with people who were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about finding the right fit for their teams. It may feel awkward or nerve wracking to go up and talk to the employers at the booths, but they are there for you so take that risk and talk to them. These interactions gave me valuable insights into various industries and roles that I had not considered before, leaving me feeling prepared to interact with more industry professionals in the future. 

Career Fairs at UW cater to a wide range of majors and career interests. Whether you are aiming for a role in Engineering, Marketing, or another field, ACES will link you with companies and organizations that can pave the way for a successful career. There are even different career fairs for the different colleges at UW to connect you with the right people in your field and make the experience even more intimate.

 

 

The time I spent at a UW career fair was more than worth it, as I saw a direct correlation between the time I spent preparing with ACES career professionals and my success in job and internship interviews. The people who work at ACES are time efficient and get right down to business, wasting no time at all getting you ready to nail your next interview.  

Prior to career fairs, UW holds a career fair prep week in which students have the opportunity to prepare themselves to connect with future employers at upcoming career fairs. During that week students can take advantage of the free professional headshots, go to workshops, and listen to guest lectures about resumes, networking, and more. Career fair prep weeks are the perfect opportunity for you to take the necessary steps to prepare yourself and be ready to wow companies at the next career fair you attend or at your next job interview. 

In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, over a thousand UW students attended our Career Fairs and connected with more than 450 employers who traveled to Laramie to engage with UW talent. These employers are not just attending to fulfill a requirement; they are genuinely invested in finding the right candidates for their companies. 

Following the fair, I felt more prepared and confident about the job search process. The connections I made and the advice I received were crucial in shaping my approach to interviews and applications. The extra support from ACES, including job search assistance and career counseling, made the experience great. 

ACES career fairs are not exclusively for helping to connect you with employers, they also offer assistance with resume and cover letter critiques, job and internship application assistance, job and internship search assistance, mock interviews, and interview preparation, preparing for career events and fairs, and curriculum vitae (CV) reviews. ACES will help you feel prepared and confident walking into your next job interview. 

 

 

You can even visit the ACES website for additional information on SOAR, job searching, career counseling, career outcomes, career events, and a career guide. All are great resources to check out before or after attending a career fair. The website also has a calendar of upcoming events so that you can stay informed about events that might be of interest to you. 

Overall, attending a Career Fair at UW transformed my anxiety into excitement and optimism about my career prospects. It was a well-organized and impactful event that provided me with not only the tools and connections needed to advance my career but also the confidence to move forward knowing that I am ready to nail future job interviews and professional interactions. I cannot encourage you enough to invest just a small amount of your time at ACES and get the preparation and feedback that you need, you will not regret that you did.