It has been so hot in CT this week, I have broken a sweat just walking from freezing, air-conditioned buildings, to my car. Yikes!
If you need a break from the heat, consider attending two upcoming job fairs, featuring jobs and internships in the Maryland/metro DC area. These two fairs take place over the next two weeks. Each focuses on a different level: one features entry-level jobs and internships, and the other focuses on more advanced positions. For more information on each, as well as tips on attending, see below.
Current undergraduate students, postbacs, graduate students, recent graduates, and professionals with less than five years of experience:
Public Service Career and Internship Fair
Who: Open to the public. Over 75 federal agencies with internships and positions available in a wide variety of fields will be attending the fair.
When: Wednesday, July 14 from 3:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: The National Building Museum! This venue is located at 401 F Street NW in Washington, D.C., across the street from the Judiciary Square metro station on the red line.
Cost: Free
Organizations attending: Visit this link.
Extras: “Find and Apply” Workshops at the Career Fair: The Partnership for Public Service, the event sponsor, will be presenting three workshops on how to find and apply for government jobs and internships during the Career Fair at 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. in the Pension Commissioner’s Suite on the second floor of the National Building Museum. You do not need to sign up ahead of time. However, these sessions will fill up quickly, so arrive ten minutes prior to the start of each presentation.
To register for the fair: Visit this link.
Postdoctoral Scholars:
Postdoc Conference and Career Fair: STEM Talent: A Symposium and Career Fair for Postdocs in the Capitol Region
Who: Open to current postdocs working in Washington, D.C.-area federal labs and universities. Companies, foundations, and federal agencies seeking to fill upper-level S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) positions will also be attending the fair.
When: Thursday, July 22 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Bethesda North Marriott/Montgomery County Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD 20852
Cost: $5.00
Organizations attending: Visit this link.
Extras: A full conference agenda, including a plenary speaker, panel discussions on different STEM careers, a career fair, and skills workshops, featuring OITE‘s own Dr. Lori Conlan!
To register for the conference and fair: Visit this link.
To prepare for either/both fairs, consider the following:
- Research, research, research! Visit the links above, determine organizations of interest, and then visit their specific sites to view jobs and internships available. You need to be able to talk intelligently about what the agency/organization does and have a sense of what they're recruiting for.
- Edit your resume, and share it with a career counselor at OITE before the fair, if you can. If not, at least have a colleague or family member review it for mistakes.
- Come up with an introductory "script," including your name, research project or program of study, date of graduation (if applicable), and your area of interest and how it relates to the employer. Practice this with friends and family.
- On the day of the fair: dress appropriately (suits are fine, but not required), and be EARLY!
- Once at the fair, pick up a list and map of organizations, target three or four that you don't want to miss, and plan your day.
- Be enthusiastic when talking with employers and demonstrate familiarity with their organization.
- Make eye contact!
- Drop off a resume with each employer of interest, but know that some will not collect them.
- Pick up a business card from every person you speak with.
- ...and as my colleague in career services at Berkeley says, "Be brief, be bright, and be gone."
- Send thank you notes via email within 24 hours of the event.
Good luck, and stay cool!
