Student FAQ - Tech Fair 2021

Yes, for both virtual and in-person. In an effort to ensure safety by avoiding crowding (and those dreaded lines), you will not be allowed to wander around or drop-in.

You can start looking through the employers that will be attending your virtual fair without needing to create an account.  When you're ready to start scheduling meetings, you will need to create an account.  See this "how-to" video from Career Fair +.

Employers are adding more representatives and more meetings now through the day of the Tech Fair so don't give up and keep checking back!

Last year, internships and jobs each had their own day. This year, the Tech Fair will only be one day and you can engage with employers on October 6th for both jobs and internships during both in-person and virtual settings.

These short introductions are important to starting the conversation and making a good first impression. Consider sharing your academic background, your past experiences, and your interest in the company. Check out Designing Your Career: The Elevator Conversation. You can also see these video examples from Career Developers.

Many recruiters suggest that you apply after. The person you talk to at the fair might give you special instructions for your application, or you might be able to use the networking to strengthen your application. However, applying before the fair is also a smart approach since then you can mention your pending application in the fair conversation and it shows your enthusiasm and initiative. Check out Slack #hot-jobs and #hot-internships for many of the Tech Fair opportunities, or when in doubt, visit the employers' careers websites and apply there.

Tip 1 - Be specific. Ask questions that demonstrate you did research on their organization in advance. For example, instead of asking "What kind of projects is your company working on?" you could say, "I see your company is working on a Natural Language Processing project to improve healthcare outcomes.  I have a strong interest in this work.  Could you tell me more about these projects and how an intern might contribute?".

Tip 2 - Build rapport. Refer back to earlier in the conversation, mention connections you have to the organization, and integrate your own story in the question. For example, instead of asking, "What kind of SDE roles does your company have this summer?" you could say, "I first heard about Liberty Mutual from a classmate who did the TechStart internship last summer. Based on what you shared earlier, it sounds like a great mix of technical and non-technical learning opportunities.  I believe my experience with HackHer413 would help me to thrive in a role like this.  What advice do you have for students like me looking for their first SDE internship?"

Yes, it's a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about different employers, roles and industries. If you feel like your resume lacks experience, consider adding student org involvement, projects, volunteering, and non-CS work experience. In combination with your classes, these are the foundation for getting that first internship or job.

Yes, schedule an email resume review appointment and we will email you suggestions using our Resume Checklist. Or you can come to our Rapid Resume Reviews and Career Fair Prep Labs and get help then. Check out our website info on resumes for help writing yours. We have both in-person and virtual options -- please check the links for times!

9/27 - Rapid Resume Reviews

9/30 - Rapid Resume Reviews

10/1 - Career Fair Prep Labs

10/4  - Career Fair Prep Labs

For the in-person fair, bring printed copies of your resume! Upload your resume to your Career Fair + profile as soon as you feel it's ready, so it can be viewed by the recruiter when you schedule a meeting. We will also share a resume book with employers to view all the resumes of participants after the event.

Dress professionally for both the virtual and in-person fair. We don't have a minimum dress code, but you want to feel confident and make a good impression for UMass and yourself.  Florida State: Gender Neutral Professional/Business Casual Dress

Please don't. Academics come first and there should be time during the in-person and virtual portions to attend, especially since you can pre-schedule meetings with your highest priority employers. If not, talk about it with your professor in advance to make arrangements. Virtual meetings are also a good option, as they will happen in the evening when there are fewer classes.

A full list is available on Career Fair +. We are continuing to add more employers until about a week before the fair. Use the filters to plan ahead and see hiring prerequisites. Look for postings on the employer's website for detailed information about the position you're interested in.

Many employers will be attending the Engineering Career Fair on Sep 28. Other employers are impacted by COVID-19.

Employers attend the tech fair because they want to hire, but they need to follow their recruiting processes. Use the Tech Fair to make a personal connection that can be referenced when you apply online. We also suggest that you follow up with the alumni and employers you talk to on LinkedIn or by email.

The Tech Fair for both internships and jobs is on Oct 6th. 

• In-Person Option: 10am-3pm ET @ CICS Building
• Virtual Option: 4pm-8pm ET Video Calls

Yes! Recruiters will be looking for STEM students from UMass and other colleges in the area.

No, but we like it if you do: Tech Jobs and Internships Fair.