I can’t go to the college career fair. I have a class. I have to work. I have a test tomorrow that I have to study for. I didn’t even know there was a career fair. These are all comments I’ve heard from students when asked, “Are you going to the college career fair?” The first comment, “I have class,” is what I want to provide perspective on today.
It was 8 AM Tuesday when I received a text message from my brother-in-law. He is a sophomore majoring in Construction Management and, while I may be biased, he is a total Rockstar. Kevin never misses class, he is very conscious of his grades, the decisions he makes, and setting himself up for success in regards to his future career. He had his summer internship for 2019 lined-up by Thanksgiving of 2018 and will wake up every morning at 4:30 AM to workout. I think you get the point, the kid is super motivated and very dedicated. So, when I got his text asking, “Should I miss class to go to the career fair?” this was a no-brainer.
For decades, students have been fed the idea that to be successful, you need to go to college and get a degree. As a result, we have droves of students heading off to college convinced that their degree is going to get them a good job after graduation. This has led to an “academics first, career planning later” mentality. The truth, however, is that obtaining good grades and earning a degree are only small pieces of big-picture success. Hands down, employers number one request when hiring student graduates is the industry-relevant experience.
So, going back to Kevin’s question, “Should I miss class to go to the college career fair?” what do you think I said? As annoying as it may have been, I responded to his question with a question.
Is your goal to get a degree and perfect grades or to get a great job after graduation?
Missing class to invest in your professional future is not only a smart move, but good instructors will encourage it. In fact, as a college instructor myself, I’ve provided extra credit opportunities to students who attended networking events and college career fairs! The key to this situation is to be proactive. Here are three things you can to in advance:
1. Identify the class or classes that will impact you the least if you miss.
Once you know the date and time of the college career fair, see how that fits with your schedule. Perhaps the stars will align and you won’t need to miss class! Chances are though, there is going to be a conflict. Think about your current schedule. Which classes are easiest for you? Which do you have the best grade in already? Missing a class session in one of these classes is a much better plan than missing a difficult course. Another factor to consider, is the time of day. It is best to go to the fair earlier rather than later. Why? Because companies pack up early if they have a long drive or if there aren’t many students coming through. Going earlier in the day increases your opportunities to talk to the companies you are most interested in learning about and conversing with.
2. Notify your instructor(s) in advance that you will be missing class to attend the career fair.
Take it from an instructor, you want to let your professors know you will be missing class and why. A simple email or notifying them at the end of class the week prior is best. Explain that you are going to the career fair rather than just saying, “I’m not going to be in class.” If they know you are missing for a worthy reason, instructors are much more likely to excuse the absence, allow make-up work, etc.
3. Complete work before the class period and arrange for a peer to take notes.
Regardless of how easy a class is for you, it is still a good idea to work ahead of the class period you are going to miss and arrange for a peer to take notes and update you on what was covered. If you have talked to your professor in advance, chances are you will be aware of what assignments or deadlines you might be missing. Make sure you get that in ahead of time. Then, contact a peer and see what was covered in class. Sometimes more is covered than originally planned, sometimes less. This will help ensure you can pick right up with the rest of the class next time.
So, go to the college career fair!
In short, no time spent networking is ever wasted! Yes, going to class is important; however, if you are a good student with regular attendance, it is worth missing a class or two to invest in your future! You never know who you might meet or the opportunities that may come from it. Kevin had three interviews for summer 2020 internships following the career fair. I would say that choosing to attend the college career fair was a pretty good investment of his time! For more tips to help you be successful at college career fairs, read my article “Stand Out! — 10 Career Fair Tips for Students.”
How can I help?
As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them! The path to success is not straightforward. My mission is to help you experience true career fulfillment through proactive coaching and career planning.
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