Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do I need to buy a program?
- Programs are treated as admission tickets for the SWE Career Fair for several reasons. You benefit from buying a program in advance because it helps you know which employers will be at the career fair, what they do and which majors they are hiring, so you can ask more intelligent questions. Also, the floor plan in the program helps you spend your time more efficiently.
- I am an OSU alum. Can I attend the SWE Career Fair?
- Yes. If you still have your BuckID, bring it. If not, try to find an official document from OSU that proves you are a graduate.
- I am not an OSU student or alum. Can I attend SWE Career Fair?
- Unfortunately, you cannot. There are several reasons:
- The Ohio State section of the Society of Women Engineers is a registered student organization at the University. Membership is open to all engineering students. Sponsorship comes from our established reputation as an active section of the national organization, Society of Women Engineers.
- employers come to the SWE Career Fair because of the reputation of the Ohio State College of Engineering and its students
- employers expect to be able to conduct follow-up interviews through Engineering Career Services
- Do I need to be registered with Engineering Career Services to attend SWE Career Fair?
-
You can attend the SWE Career Fair even if you're not registered with ECS. All
engineering students are encouraged to
attend! It's a great opportunity to learn about and meet the
employers who attend. In addition, a small percentage (<15%) of
the employers at the SWE Career Fair will schedule interviews for the following
day without regard to your registration status with ECS.
However, you do need to be registered with an active account to participate in the majority of post-career fair interviews on campus, so don't wait until after the SWE Career Fair to activate your account—most employers require you to do so. - How do I make sure my co-op/internship employer is notified about the SWE Career Fair?
- Please send contact information, specifically email addresses, to the SWE Engineering Career Fair Coordinator, Christine Law.
Helpful Tips
- Bring your BuckID to the SWE Career Fair. You will not get in without it.
- Buy a program—available at the CoE main office starting early February. Highlight those employers that interest you on the floor plan so you can organize your time efficiently. Think about why you are interested in them and how you might connect your background to their needs.
- If you do not have a resume with you, ask for business cards and send a letter and resume later.
- Act professionally and dress appropriately. Good grooming is essential.
- Show interest and enthusiasm by smiling and speaking clearly. Walk confidently, and use good posture. Make direct eye contact and shake hands firmly. Have a positive greeting then tell them what interests you about their company and/or industry.
- Ask about opportunities and hiring needs. Don't ask about salary.
- Answer questions clearly and concisely.
- If you are invited to interview the next day, write it down immediately.
- Play it safe and don't schedule back-to-back interviews in case of delays.
- Thank them for their time and pick up company information, not just the promotional products.
- When you leave a company table, make notes of your impression immediately. Since you will be speaking with several company representatives, it is easy to forget or mix up the information you receive.
- If a line in front of a company is particularly long, move on and return to that company later.
This list should not be considered exhaustive. Please review the information provided by Engineering Career Services on career fairs as well. If you have not registered with career services, do so as soon as possible—many employers require you to be registered.