career fair vip tours jared meitler career and employment services
TRANSCRIPT
Career Fair VIP Tours
Jared MeitlerCareer and Employment Services
K-State All-University Career Fair
• 4000+ Students• 1000+
Employer Reps• 400+
Companies
Background Info• Began career in Higher
Ed in 2012• Open Option & First-
Year students• Attended the 32nd
Conference on the First-Year Experience
Desired Outcomes• We want freshman to:
– Become more comfortable/confident talking with employers
– Be exposed to a variety of employers
– Identify potential internship opportunities
– Gain an understanding of the atmosphere of a career fair
Student Communication• Outreach to students:– K-State First Program
Participants• FY Seminar and CAT
Community Instructors• GPS (First-Year Student
Mentoring Program)
Employer Communication• Employer Advisory Board
Meeting– July before late-Sept. Career
Fair• Follow-up via email• Corporate Partners 1st, then
companies that hire across majors
Employer Benefits• Initiate brand awareness • Showcase the company and its
opportunities• Educate prospective employees
about skills and experiences needed
• Some desire to hire young talent
Employer Concerns• What if there is a line
of students already?• Single representative
dedicated to the tours?• How much does it cost?
Student Concerns• What’s in it for me?• What should I wear?• What time do I need to be
there?• How long will it take?• Do I get free stuff?
Day of…• Brief (5 min) overview
of what to expect• Groups of 6-8• Pause & reflect
together after 2-3 stops
VIP Experience
• VIP Nametags
• Legends Room Access
Student Feedback
• Short survey at the end of the tour
• Asked to complete before they left
Because of the VIP Tour, I feel more comfortable in the atmosphere of the career
fair.2013 2014
I am more confident in visiting future career fairs because of the VIP Tour.2013 2014
I am likely to attend future career fairs because of the VIP Tour.
2013 2014
Student Feedback• Vast majority was very positive
– Time to debrief was beneficial
• Most common recommendations– Divide groups by college/major & visit industry specific
companies– Make the tours longer
Lessons Learned• Avoid scheduling tours
during peak times • Guides should be
engaging and prepared to coach
• Reach out to Faculty partners early
• Ask for help!
Questions?
• Grateful acknowledgments…– Mary Utter, Office of the First-Year
Experience, University of Pittsburgh– CES Corporate Partners and other
participating employers– K-State First– K-State CES Staff
