Career Fairs

The Career Center hosts four to six large career fairs each year to connect students and employers. Employers also host information sessions to share more in-depth information about their recruiting process, company culture and open opportunities. Attending information sessions and career fairs are great ways to learn about different career paths, build your network and explore current opportunities. Make sure to prepare for these events by utilizing Career Center services.

Register for each career fair or information session on Handshake so that you will receive reminders leading up to the event. Employers may reach out early to registered students who have their resume visible on Handshake. Follow employers on Handshake to be notified if they register for a fair or add new sessions to a virtual fair.

Employer events and career fairs are for UC Davis students and alumni only. Alumni may request a Handshake account if they don't already have one. All new and current students have a Handshake account.

Upcoming Fair Dates

Engineering, Energy, and Technology Career Fair

Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: In-person at University Credit Union Center (formerly the Pavilion), UC Davis

Winter Career Fair

Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: In-person at University Credit Union Center (formerly the Pavilion), UC Davis

Spring Career Fair

Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: In-person at University Credit Union Center (formerly the Pavilion), UC Davis

Additional Fairs

There are other fairs and recruiting events not hosted solely by the Career Center:

How To Prepare for In-Person Career Fairs

Before The Fair

During The Fair

  • Bring a folder with several copies of your resume to give to employers.
  • Bring your student ID and check-in at the entrance of the University Credit Union Center (UCUC).
  • Review the event map to locate the companies you would like to connect with. Map can be viewed in Handshake and is posted throughout the UCUC building.
  • Approach recruiters using your elevator pitch. Don't forget to get their contact information so you can follow up after the fair.

After The Fair

How to Prepare for Virtual Career Fairs

Carefully review the information and links below to ensure you can successfully join the sessions at the fair and interact with employers.

For advising related questions, utilize our daily drop-in advising.

Advanced Sign-ups Required

Advanced sign-ups for employer sessions are required. If you haven't signed up for employer sessions yet, do so ASAP. If you can no longer attend any of the employer group or 1:1 sessions, please cancel your session so another student can sign up for it and to avoid making a poor impression with the employer.

Types of Sessions

The virtual career fair has two types of sessions: 1:1 and group sessions.

1:1 Sessions:

  • A 1:1 session is scheduled for 10 minutes.
  • Before the session, a launch video button will appear.
  • Join the session up to 5 minutes before to confirm your audio and video works.
  • An employer will not be able to see your profile if you have not signed up for a 1:1 or group session.

Group Sessions:

  • A session can have up to 50 students. Students can ask questions via chat during a group session or "raise their hand" to ask a question.
  • Before the session, a launch video button will appear.
  • Join the session up to 5 minutes before to confirm your audio and video works.
  • Cameras and mics will automatically turn off for every session that has over 15 participants.
  • If a meeting connection with an employer is lost due to technical issues, you will have until the meeting end time to rejoin a session.
  • An employer will not be able to see your profile if you have not signed up for a 1:1 or group session.

* If a student does not get the opportunity to sign up for a session, they are encouraged to connect with the company on Handshake and "follow" the company profile to get notified of opportunities available.

Privacy Settings

To participate in a group session (or both 1:1 and group session), the student's account MUST be set to Community.

How to do so: Handshake Student Dashboard > Click Student image at the top right > From drop-down menu that appears click "Settings and Privacy" > scroll towards middle of the page and click "Community" > Save update

Signing up for a Session

Day of Fair - Accessing Your Fair Schedule

All sessions are launched through Handshake.

  • Once logged into Handshake, a green bar will appear at the top of the screen with a notification that reads "Career Fair today!" - Click on Fair Schedule hyperlink
    • A list of all fair links is also found on our fair page.
  • Click on the Your Schedule tab on the fair page to pull up the sessions you have signed up to attend.
  • Five (5) minutes before each session, a "Join Video" button will appear next to their scheduled time slot.
  • A pop up window will open to join the session. If you do not get a pop up window, check that you have configured your browser's pop up blocker to allow pop ups from Handshake.
  • A test video will appear before entering the session.
  • Check audio and video settings before launching video by clicking the 3 dots on the test window.
  • Click "join video" to connect with the recruiter.
  • Review this Handshake reference article for further details.

Resume - "Giving" Your Resume to a Recruiter

Updating your Handshake profile and uploading your resume is recommended. After attending the fair, recruiters will have access to download resumes attached to your Handshake profile.

  • Upload a resume under "Documents" in your profile. Then, set the resume to "visible" in order for employers to access it. For more information, watch this Handshake video on YouTube.

Virtual Career Fair Help

Help with technical issues may be found on our virtual help room.