How Universities Can Make the Most of Careers Fairs

Careers fairs have been part of university life for decades — but in today’s landscape, they’re more than just a row of company stands in a campus hall. For institutions, they’re a chance to connect the dots between education and employment, show students what their future could look like, and strengthen ties with the people and partners who help make it all happen.

Done well, a careers fair is about more than job offers. It’s about building confidence, opening doors, and reinforcing the value of your programmes. So how can universities ensure these events really deliver?

Know What You’re Hoping to Achieve

Before diving into planning, it helps to be clear on your goals. What does success look like for your team, your students, and your wider university community?

Maybe you want to:

• Highlight your industry partnerships to prospective students.
• Give final-year students direct access to hiring managers.
• Bring alumni back to campus in a meaningful way.
• Stay on top of changing job market demands.

Whatever the goal, being intentional allows you to design an experience that delivers real value for everyone involved.

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Break Down Silos Between Teams

Careers fairs shouldn’t sit solely within the careers office. Involving academic departments, marketing, alumni relations, and even admissions can take your event from good to great.

Encourage collaboration by:

• Co-creating sessions with faculties that link to course content.
• Inviting academic staff to promote the fair during teaching time.
• Asking alumni and employer contacts from each department to get involved.

This cross-campus approach creates richer, more relevant experiences for students — and helps them see how everything connects.

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Keep Employer Relationships Personal

It’s easy to fall into the trap of sending out bulk invites to your employer database. But just like with student recruitment, personalisation goes a long way.

Think about:

• Picking up the phone to reconnect with key partners.
• Personalising invites based on previous engagement or programme fit.
• Creating a sense of community — not just a transactional event.

And don’t forget your alumni network. Former students often jump at the chance to give back, share their career journeys, or offer internship opportunities. Tap into that goodwill.

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Make It Welcoming for Everyone

Not every student will show up feeling confident and career-ready — and that’s OK. Your job is to make sure the event feels approachable and accessible, whatever someone’s background, course or career goals.

Here are a few ways to do that:

• Host prep workshops or ‘career fair 101’ sessions in advance.
• Offer quiet spaces for students who may find big events overwhelming.
• Create hybrid options for those who can’t attend in person — or who feel more comfortable online.

It’s about meeting students where they are and making them feel supported.

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Don’t Let the Momentum Fade

A successful careers fair isn’t just about what happens on the day. What you do afterwards matters just as much.

Follow up with students by:

• Sharing key takeaways or useful resources.
• Signposting next steps — whether that’s CV help, one-to-one advice, or job boards.
• Celebrating success stories to encourage others to take part next time.

And for employers and alumni:

• Thank them personally.
• Ask for feedback — what worked, what didn’t, what they’d love to see more of?
• Keep the conversation going with invitations to other events or opportunities to stay involved.

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Final Thoughts

A careers fair isn’t just about helping students get jobs — it’s about helping them build futures. It’s your chance to bring people together, spark new ideas, and show the real-world value of your university experience.

With the right mix of planning, collaboration and care, it can become one of the most meaningful touchpoints in a student’s journey.

Curious how Full Fabric can support your student engagement efforts — from first contact through to career success? Request a demo today.