Spring Term Employment & Education Fairs!

YOUR Job & Career Connections would like to invite you to attend our annual Employment & Education Fairs. Open to students, community, faculty, and staff - free for job seekers!

May 13, 2025 – Fort Steilacoom Campus

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Cascade building 3rd floor                

May 21, 2025 – Puyallup Campus

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - College Center 2nd floor

The Employment & Education Fair is for YOU no matter where you are in your career journey. Attending jobs fairs early in your education connects you with recruiters who can answer questions about your career pathway and provide insights that may change which courses you choose. In addition to employment, these events may also lead to possible internships, job-shadowing, informational interviews, and volunteer opportunities! Job fairs can help students practice their networking skills, build social capital, and connect with WorkSource staff who will be onsite to assist with resume reviews.

Students can view registered employers in Handshake and note that some employers may attend one or both days. Not sure what to expect during a job fair? Check out the article on the next page. Need to make a resume or update and existing resume. Job & Career Connections staff can work with you on your resume or talk through how to prepare for a job fair.

Finding OPT/CPT Jobs in Handshake

One helpful feature of Handshake’s job search filters is the ability to search for jobs open to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and/or Curricular Practical Training (CPT).  These jobs indicate they are open to speaking with and receiving applications from international students who may be interested in gaining career related hands-on experience through an employer in a paid position at the end of their degree program or after graduation.  In Handshake, select the jobs tab, all filters, and then scroll down to the Work authorization section.

 work authorization filter options in handshake

Financial Aid Priority Timelines

If you plan to attend summer or fall term, now is a great time to complete your 2025-2026 Financial Aid application. The Pierce College Financial Aid Office has priority deadlines for receiving your FAFSA/WASFA data.  To ensure adequate time to process your eligibility, please refer to the Financial Aid Priority Timelines: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/financial-aid-apply

For Assistance in completing the FAFSA/WASFA, MDC Collocated staff are here to help! Contact Gerard Tedpahogo, MDC Collocated Coordinator, gtedpahogo@mdc-hope.org 253-320-1901 for in-person appointments or to schedule a remote appointment.

Tips for Navigating a Job Fair:

Before the Fair: 

  • Update your resume. Have Job & Career Connections review it and bring enough copies to give to employers. 
  • Prepare questions to ask employers and answers to questions employers may ask you. 
  • Research the companies attending that are of interest to you. 
  • Prepare a thirty-second personal commercial (elevator pitch) that you can use to introduce yourself to recruiters or employers. 
  • Dress professionally. Make sure your clothing fits comfortably. 
  • Write down or type up a list of references and job history for filling out applications. 
  • Keep all of your materials in a professional looking portfolio/folder to carry with you at the fair.

During the Fair: 

  • Meet first with companies that interest you the most. 
  • Smile, greet others with a handshake and eye contact. 
  • Avoid eating, drinking, chewing gum, smoking, etc. around the recruiters. Put your phone or anything distracting away.  
  • Use professional communication and avoid filler words such as like, um, ah, etc. Articulate and show confidence in your voice; the room will be noisy so make sure the recruiter can hear and understand you. 
  • Speak to as many companies as possible. This will help you become more comfortable with networking and may open prospects. 
  • Take notes of companies and recruiters’ names you met with and the best way to follow up with them. Bring a small planner or notebook to jot down this information.  
  • Make sure you are interested in the company, not just their promotional materials and giveaways. 
  • If you are uncertain of the position you want, give the recruiter information about you that could help determine what positions might be suitable for you such as: skills, experience, education, interests, etc. Let the recruiter know if you are looking for full time or part time work. 
  • Ask the recruiter if they have any advice they could give you or for the steps you should take to better prepare yourself for the field. 
  • Approach recruiters alone, not in groups with your friends.

After the Fair: 

  • Organize materials and applications gathered at the fair. 
  • Contact companies you are interested in and send in applications and resumes, mentioning the contact at the fair in your cover letter. 
  • If appropriate, send a thank you card or email to each recruiter with whom you had a serious connection.