Fall Career Week Turns Ten

September is always a busy month at IUPUI—new students settle into their routines, the first round of exams begins, and many university events provide a break for busy students. One of IUPUI’s recurring events is Fall Career Week, which is set to be a truly memorable event for our university. Fall Career Week is celebrating its tenth anniversary of empowering student success.

In 2009, the IUPUI Career Services Council felt students needed an event that equipped them to pursue their careers with confidence. The council wanted to ensure students received access to resources that would affect the trajectory of their professional careers. At its core, Fall Career Week is more than just an extended career fair. It is a week of career-related events for all students to learn about majors, careers, job searching, and more. The primary goal of these events is to:

• Increase student awareness and understanding of majors and career options
• Assist students in developing professional skills
• Facilitate connections for students, employers, and alumni
• Raise awareness of the importance of campus inclusion in career development and planning

Fall Career Week, like many IUPUI traditions over the years, has seen a marked increase in participation. From 2009 to 2017, the number of students attending the event increased from 1,700 to 7,100. This is an incredible rise, especially considering in 2009 there were 28,756 total students enrolled, and in 2017, the increase was marginal with a slight increase to 29,790 total students. Fall Career Week has proved its worth to the student body over and over, as each year it attracts more students to enjoy its many benefits.

Fall Career Week gathers staff, faculty, alumni, employers, and students from all across campus to create a positive environment conducive to engaging students in major and career exploration. Students, like Alyson, have the opportunity to talk with representatives from various schools about programs and to question alumni and employers about their academics, career paths, and places of work. Many of the events assist students in developing professional skills that they will need in acquiring professional positions and throughout their careers. Fall Career Week is designed to help all students build their networks and identify opportunities for internships and part-time or full-time positions.

Panels are a popular way for students to interact with advisors, alumni, and potential employers. With multiple experts on a topic gathered in one place, each providing their own unique viewpoint, students see many ways that individuals interact with the same topic, major, or career. These topics are specific, yet varied; with the diversity of interests on campus, Fall Career Week presents events that appeal to a wide range of students. At last year’s event, topics ranged from “Not That Into Blood? Consider a Career on the Business Side of Health Care” to “How to Find a Job and Keep it Legal.”

Alyson’s experience with panels at Fall Career Week granted her an entirely different perspective on her future. She explains, “If I hadn't attended the HIM panel at Fall Career Week, I doubt that I would have realized the broad range of opportunities available within the profession. I would like to think that I would have discovered HIM at some point even if I hadn't attended the panel, but I would not have known how many different career paths are possible within the field. I also wouldn't have known that many HIM professionals dip their toes into multiple aspects of the field at some point in their careers.”

Often these panels, speakers, or workshops are followed up by opportunities for networking. Alyson confirms, “When I eventually switched my major to HIM, I already had connections with one of my professors and some professionals in the field because of the panel. The opportunity to meet the HIM panelists at Fall Career Week opened up doors and helped me grow my professional network.”

Jennifer Schott, director of career planning in University College, sums up the results of attending Fall Career Week: “This week offers much more than a few career fairs and is not just for graduating seniors, but for all students, from freshmen to graduate students, in all majors and programs. Students can search for internships and jobs, but they can also learn more about majors and careers; there is something for everyone.”

This year, Fall Career Week runs September 24–28 and includes over 60 events with several highlights that include:

• Free Donuts and Coffee for All, Campus Center Atrium, September 24, 9:30–11 a.m.
• Fall Intern Fair, Campus Center, Fourth Floor, September 25, 1–4 p.m.
• Public Safety Career Day, Taylor Courtyard, September 26, 12–3 p.m.
• “Recycled Runway–Dress for Success on a Budget” Fashion Show, Campus Center Atrium, September 26, 3–4 p.m.
• Career Connection STEM Career Fair, Campus Center, Fourth Floor, September 26–27, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• T-Shirt Design Contest (The campus will vote on their favorite design for the Fall Career Week 2019 T-shirts.)

Come out to Fall Career Week to discover the ample professional resources available. Details and full descriptions of the events will be posted at fallcareerweek.iupui.edu.