Minnesota Private Colleges’ Job and Internship Fair
Minnesota Private Colleges’ Job & Internship Fair is designed to bring employers and students together in a way that allows students the opportunity to explore many different work and internship opportunities, and employers a cost-effective means of meeting highly talented students from Minnesota’s private colleges.
The fair includes recruiter representatives from over 300+ organizations from business, nonprofit, government (city, state, occasionally federal), public service, science & technology, healthcare, and more. (Certified teachers have their own fair mid Spring Semester.) The individual organizations each have a booth in the Convention Center on day one of the fair, and students can choose with whom they’d like to make contact.
- Advanced registration via Handshake is required.
- The fair is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors only.
- It is the student’s responsibility to notify professors as early as possible about an expected absence from a class for the fair. It is at instructors’ individual discretion to determine how such absences will be handled.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (attend anytime)
200+ Employers Expected.
Transportation provided. (See below for time.)
Employers
Over 300+ employers from many different career areas attend the in-person fair and around 60-100 employers are expected to attend the virtual fair. It is highly recommended that you explore employers registered for the fair and create a plan for your time at the fair. Note: Employers are registering all the time – please check back often. Employers registrations for the fair is usually complete by early February.
Employers are registering for the job fair all the time, check back to the list regularly! Most employers are registered and visible to you by early February.
Special Note for International Students:
You can identify employers who are open to international student candidates with OPT/CPT and/or seeking work visa sponsorship by reviewing the “Work Authorization” portion within an employer profile or job posting. The following four options are possible:
US work authorization is required. | The employer is generally NOT willing to consider international student candidates. (Neither CPT/OPT or sponsorship is listed.)
US work authorization is required, but the employer is accepting OPT/CPT candidates. | The employer is willing to consider international student candidates for an internship or job but is not willing to sponsor for longer term employment.
US work authorization is required, but the employer is willing to sponsor candidates. | The employer IS willing to consider international student candidates with OPT/CPT and who may be seeking longer term employer in the U.S.
No US work authorization required. | This generally indicates an employer or the position is located outside the United States. Or, most likely, this is a posting mistake by the employer. Any position within the United States will require U.S. work authorization.
Preparation
The following steps are crucial to ensure you have a successful experience at the fair. Piper Center coaches will be present at the fair to support you on the day of the event.
1. resume review
All students who plan to participate in the fair, should have their resumes reviewed by a peer advisor or a coach in the Piper Center. Resume reviews are available on a drop-in basis in the Piper Center or through the virtual Resume Review Program. Need support getting started? Visit our: Resume How-To Guide.
2. Upload Your Resume to the External Fair Website (In-Person)
Be seen by employers before the fair!
- In-Person Fair: Upload your resume to the external fair site. (https://www.mnpcfair.org) Employers review resumes in advance of the fair and may invite you to meet with them or even interview during the fair. To upload your resume, create an account and complete the resume registration form. You can log back into your account and make changes to your profile at any time once you’ve submitted your profile.
3. Mandatory prep session
To ensure St. Olaf is well-represented in front of the region’s major employers, you should attend ONE of the following prep sessions:
- Wednesday, February 8, 2023 | 4:00 – 4:150 p.m. | In-Person, Tomson 280
- Monday, February 13, 2023 | 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. | VIA ZOOM
- Thursday, February 16, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | In-Person, Tomson 280
- Thursday, February 16, 2023 | 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. | VIA ZOOM
If you did not attend a prep session, please watch the recording (linked below):
2023 Job and Internship Fair Prep Session Recording
Ole Biz | Network and connect to alumni working in the world of business.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | 5:15 – 7:30 p.m. | Wells Fargo, Minneapolis
- Transportation provided.
- For more information and to register – see HANDSHAKE
5. review employers & MAke a plan
Review the employers registered for the fair, determine which are of interest, and develop a list to bring with you. The in-person fair is quite large and will be difficult to navigate if you do not have a plan. You may wish to visit the booths of employers who are lower in priority to get warmed up and build confidence. You are also welcome to contact employers in advance!
6. WHAT TO WEAR
Professional Dress is the standard for career fairs (virtual and in-person). This keeps the focus on YOU and helps you present as your best professional self. This can also help you feel more confident and ready for professional engagement with employers. Try on your outfit in advance!
The way we dress is often a key part of our identity and an outward reflection of our culture and values. For some, a more prescribed (i.e. “professional” style of dress) may seem challenging, uncomfortable, and even offensive. If needed, Piper Center coaches are available to provide one-on-one guidance on dress standards and how they intersect with your personal values and professional expectations.
Transportation (In-Person Fair)
Bus transportation is available to and from campus and will run at the following times:
- Departure Options: 8:15 or 10:00am | Buntrock Commons Turnaround (Lower Entrance)
- Return Options: 11:30 or 1:45pm | Outside Convention Center (Main Entrance)
Attendance is not taken so please be on time to ensure you don’t miss the bus! Students who plan to drive on their own do not need to notify the Piper Center.
Want to know if the Job & Internship Fair is right for you?
This fair is appropriate for a wide range of students seeking opportunities in the following sectors: business, nonprofit, government (city, state, occasionally federal), public service, science & technology, healthcare, education, and more. The amount of opportunity in each area can vary from year to year, so it’s always encourage that students review the employers ahead of time. Keep checking back often as employers continue to register right up to the fair!
You can browse employers and opportunities in Handshake prior to fair to help you determine if the fair is a good fit for your interests. (Direct links are above.) You are welcome to schedule an appointment with any coach in the Piper Center to discuss the fair. You are also welcome to stop by at any time and meet with a Peer Advisor in the Piper Center.
Additional Details and Information
COVID-19 Attendance Policies
At this time, all students, staff, and employer representatives, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to wear masks and practice physical distancing whenever possible at the fair. These policies may be adjusted to stay in compliance with federal, state, and local recommendations or requirements. Students are required to be in compliance with their college’s vaccination and/or booster requirements.
Accessibility
For accessibility information regarding the Minneapolis Convention Center, visit https://www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center/attendees/accessibility/. For transportation accessibility visit https://www.minneapolis.org/map-transportation/accessibility/.
For specific accessibility information as well as to make additional accommodations prior to the job fair, contact your college/university career services office at least two weeks prior to the fair.
Information on accessibility options for Handshake Virtual Career Fairs can be found HERE. Highlights include:
- Handshake virtual career fairs tool is designed to be compatible with screen readers that those with visual impairment can use to convert text, buttons, or images into speech or braille.
- The Handshake website and fairs are designed to be navigable for keyboard-only users
- Color contrast in the virtual fair design is designed so that screen elements are more easily readable for the visually-impaired
- The Handshake support team can also provide an interpreter for live captioning if requested
If you have any concerns about accessing the fair or need additional support, please contact the Piper Center or Disability and Access Office in the Center for Advising and Academic Support.