October is the month of Sport & Business Career Fair and the School of Public Health Office of Career Services will be hosting several events, particularly a group coaching event, and a career fair.
Group coaching event: The group coaching will be for students interested in careers in the sport and business industries. Students could discuss internships and possible career paths and learn more about employers attending the Sport & Business Career Focus Fair. This would be on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, between 10 am – 12pm at PH C100. You could find more on this event at https://careers.publichealth.iu.edu/events/2017/10/04/group-coaching-careers-in-sport-business/.
Panel presentation: Panelists will be on hand at the fair to engage in professional conversation. Thursday, October 12, 2017, 6pm – 8pm, IMU – Georgian Room. This is your ideal opportunity to network with professionals working in the sport and business fields. You could find more on this event at https://careers.publichealth.iu.edu/events/2017/10/12/sport-business-career-focus-fair/.
These events will be appropriate opportunities to investigate positions, organizations, and career fields of interest. They are also platforms to interact with senior professionals and employers while you explore about potential opportunities, relevant to your area of interest. Getting habituated to these career fairs and events and experiencing them will help you in the future. You might feel inhibited when you are there for the first time. You might even feel apprehensive if you are currently not looking for a job or internship. Nonetheless, just go! Don’t be shy.
To make the best of these events prepare yourself by creating a mental chart of your preferences. This means, giving a thought to questions like: ‘which are the top choices of where you would like to see yourself work?’ and ‘to realize this, who are the people you would need to connect with?’ For this, research about companies, have a preferred list of employers, prepare your resume, and prepare your pitch.
If you know the kind of companies which might be the best fit to your area of interest, please look at the IU SPH career services portal beforehand to learn about the companies who are coming to the fair and which ones might be your most preferred ones.
Research each of the organizations’ websites getting to know about their history, mission, and culture. While at the career fair, visit their stalls and spend some time to know about the work of the company, and take the opportunity to introduce yourself briefly to these people. Remember, there is nothing that can beat personalized interaction. So, it is your turn, to make your niche! Network with professionals working in the sport and business fields for the right connections to potentially secure your internship or full-time position.
Participate in the panel presentation before the event to learn about career paths and gain professional insight. Panelists will be on hand at the fair to engage in professional conversation.
Here are some more tips when you attend these events. You could also refer to the career fair handout: https://careers.publichealth.iu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/08/Career-Fair-Handout.pdf.
1) Get your portfolio with copies of your resume.
2) Have your visiting cards with your name and affiliations written in the front and qualifications typed at the back. Leave them with the company representatives.
3) Make an opportunity to have a personal chat with the company representatives, have your 30-second introduction, or pitch statement …. Be precise: your name, your goals, and your passion.
4) Prepare some questions to ask the employers and practice to answer common interview questions. Your first impression is important. Remember, employers notice the details. So dress like you would do for an interview.
5) While you are at the fair, ask the employers regarding their recruitment process. Based on that information, reconnect and follow up with them via email.
Additionally, you could seek advice about group drop-in coaching to Kris at nielsenk@indiana.edu. You could also schedule an individual session through Career Link at http://www.publichealth.indiana.edu/careers/CareerLink.shtml.
Tapati
Tapati is a doctoral candidate at Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington. Her research emphasis is on multi-level community engagement for effective adoption of prevention policies and programs. She has worked extensively on sexual and reproductive health rights in India, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. Beyond her pedagogic assignments she loves to spend time amidst nature and animals or painting her canvases.
