Poll of the Day > There was a career fair today at school. Do you think me a fool for not going?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I must have these answers.
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Don't let anyone else but yourself dictate living a good life, at your own pace, while being good to other people, doing things you enjoy.
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Internships and networking are always useful, especially when you're close to graduation. Have a job lined up and in stone when you graduate so you spend minimal time between. Looks better on a resume than months+ in limbo.

Yes and no.

In terms of it being too early, it's absolutely not. I knew a lot of people who got jobs lined up in the fall/winter when they didn't graduate until the next summer. Even if you weren't a senior they can still be a good idea to attend.

But on the other hand, they are a lot of work for you to truly get anything out of. It's not just attending but also spending time prepping and learning about the companies so you don't just walk up to every one going "So what does your company do?". If you didn't feel like you had the time for it, then don't feel too bad, but if you had nothing better to do it couldn't have hurt to attend.

Lastly, they aren't really all they're cracked up to be in my experience. Everyone would just tell you to apply online, which is precisely what I went to the career fair to avoid having to do. I don't know what it's like at your school but the on-campus interviews and info sessions companies would have after the career fair (and to a lesser extent throughout the year) were way more useful

Also don't worry that much about being awkward. I've known some reaaaaally awkward people who were able to get decent jobs. It'll probably make things a little more difficult for you, but almost everyone has some kind of obstacle preventing them from getting their perfect job.

Would it have gotten you out of class? If so, then you were a fool for not going.

captpackrat posted...

Would it have gotten you out of class? If so, then you were a fool for not going.

I dont think you know how college works.
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Chewster posted...

Yes and no.

In terms of it being too early, it's absolutely not. I knew a lot of people who got jobs lined up in the fall/winter when they didn't graduate until the next summer. Even if you weren't a senior they can still be a good idea to attend.

But on the other hand, they are a lot of work for you to truly get anything out of. It's not just attending but also spending time prepping and learning about the companies so you don't just walk up to every one going "So what does your company do?". If you didn't feel like you had the time for it, then don't feel too bad, but if you had nothing better to do it couldn't have hurt to attend.

Lastly, they aren't really all they're cracked up to be in my experience. Everyone would just tell you to apply online, which is precisely what I went to the career fair to avoid having to do. I don't know what it's like at your school but the on-campus interviews and info sessions companies would have after the career fair (and to a lesser extent throughout the year) were way more useful

I would consider this to be a comprehensive answer.
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Yeah, but I forgot to add:

Go as an underclassman: "We're really looking for graduates to start full-time right now"

Go as a senior/graduate: "We're only hiring interns at the moment"

Chewster posted...

If you didn't feel like you had the time for it, then don't feel too bad, but if you had nothing better to do it couldn't have hurt to attend.

I had far too much homework to be worrying about fixing up my resume, picking out formal dress, and doing research on the companies that were there.

Chewster posted...

Go as an underclassman: "We're really looking for graduates to start full-time right now"

Go as a senior/graduate: "We're only hiring interns at the moment"

That's idiotic and totally backwards.
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EclairReturns posted...

That's idiotic and totally backwards.

That's probably part confirmation bias (noticing the negative experiences more), part exaggeration, and part conveniently lie on the employers' behalf because they didn't want to talk to you, but yeah. I will say I have talked to friends from school who feel like they went through the same phenomenon.

Not the same thing, but I remember one time I waited in line to talk to a company that I was really interested in after somebody was talking to the lady for like five minutes, then when I got to her she talked to me for like ten seconds and I think didn't even take my resume and it was obvious she just wanted to skip out to lunch. My point is, career fairs suck and are a more lively reminder of how absurd job searching is

You do you man. We had a jobs fair recently near me that I skipped as I've attended them before and they mostly seem to be full of voluntary work and school leavers.
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lol Sunny lives by mom fridge magnets.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

lol Sunny lives by mom fridge magnets.

Huh? Pics of magnets...
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SunWuKung420 posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

lol Sunny lives by mom fridge magnets.

Huh? Pics of magnets...

https://www.ebid.net/us/for-sale/fridge-magnet-frog-logic-meditation-funny-motivational-quote-171630035.htm
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