Career Opportunities Fair coming to Fanshawe

Darlene O’Neill

The Fanshawe College Career Opportunities Fair is back in person for the first time since the pandemic. Director of employment and student entrepreneurial services for the college, Darlene O’Neill, says she expects thousands of students to turn out, and hundreds of employers.

“We have 170 (employers) registered and 50 more on the waiting list and these are only employers that pay to be here because they want to hire Fanshawe students.”

The event is on from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday March 8^th at the J gyms on campus. Two of the gyms will be hosting the employer booths, while the third will become a ‘student lounge’ where O’Neill says resources and coaching will be available.

“We’ll have printing services available for our students. We’ll have career-closet-clothes if students need to throw a jacket on, or a tie, or the right kind of shoes, or something just to look a little more professional.”

Fanshawe’s student mentorship program InSPIRE will also be available in the lounge. The program links students with senior students, or mentors from the field they wish to enter after graduation.

The fair will have many options of employment including part-time, co-op, summer jobs, and full-time careers for graduating students. O’Neill says there will be opportunities for every student.

Career Closet Clothes

“Every sector, every faculty that we have here at the college is represented.”

Students are advised to dress for success and to bring a few copies of their resume. O’Neil says a digital copy that can be emailed immediately to employers is also a good idea.

“My advice to the students is to take the employer’s business card and always follow up with every employer that you’ve met.”

The last piece of advice she offers is for students coming back again next year to get ahead of the game.

“Before Career Fair happens, we always host a series of workshops to prepare students and I would recommend that students get engaged a little earlier and meet with your career consultant and just be totally prepared and confident.”