Fall Career Week celebrates its 15th anniversary at IUPUI this year. Academic and Career Development has hosted many successful events and programming over the years related to growing student connections with professionals in their future career fields. Let’s look back at 15 highlights from the last 15 years and sneak peeks at this year’s lineup, presented by the Division of Undergraduate Education.
Founding
The Career Services Council founded Fall Career Week in 2009 to provide students with opportunities to interact with employers and develop professional skills.
Professional Image Project
The Office of Student Employment began the Professional Image Project in 2014, which allows students to get free professional headshots.
Public Safety Day
Hosted by the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Public Safety Day moved to Taylor Courtyard in 2014. Students had the opportunity to interact with police and military vehicles and with a helicopter that landed in the courtyard. The event drew 2,000–3,000 attendees per year, making it one of Fall Career Week’s most attended events.
STEM Career Fair
STEM Career Fair quickly became a Fall Career Week Flagship Event, with 752 attendees at the first event in 2015. The STEM Career Fair is back again this year and includes specialty days: a Science/Math/Technology Day on September 27 and an Engineering/Technology Day on September 28.
A decade of success
The 10th anniversary marked the program’s long-standing success, especially through the rising attendance numbers. From 2009 to 2017, the yearly attendance increased 24%, jumping from 1,700 students to 7,100 students.
Field Trip Fridays
Students can build connections and meet with employers in the field through Field Trip Fridays. Since 2018, students have had the opportunity to visit multiple workplaces throughout the area, such as the Indiana Statehouse and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The 2023 field trips have been announced!
Recycled Runway: Dress for Success
Through PAWS’ Closet, IUPUI students learned how to style professional clothes and have the opportunity to shop for free clothing. This year, (formerly) PAWS’ Closet is sprucing up in a new location and will soon have a new name. Soon, students will be able to visit the space and browse professional attire in Hine Hall 210.
Teacher Story Slam
In 2019, teachers from the Indianapolis area traveled to IUPUI to share stories about the education field. Teachers Lounge Indy and Chalkbeat Indiana hosted the event.
Alumni panels
Former students from various schools on campus have returned to share their advice on specific career paths and how to make the most of certain degrees. Some of this year’s alumni sessions include Fairbanks Alumni Career Panel Series: Where do Alumni Go After Fairbanks?, featuring alums from the Fairbanks School of Public Health, and Speed Networking with Alumni - Meet, Greet & Connect! featuring alumni from both the O’Neill School of Public Health and Environmental Affairs and the Lilly School of Philanthropy.
Drop-in events
Events such as 15-minute drop-in resume reviews and 30-second employer introductions allow students to confidently prepare for networking at the career fairs hosted later in the week. Familiar drop-in events continue this year with one additional session on the list: Career Fair Tour and Prep Session. The tour and preparation combination event was created to help make the career fair less intimidating and let attendees know what they can expect.
Graduate Expo
This long-standing Fall Career Week event also rose to Flagship Event status. This year, representatives from more than 40 graduate schools nationwide will be at the expo on September 25. The Graduate Expo also provides an opportunity for students to network with other graduate students, as well as faculty and staff.
Intern Fair
Along with the Graduate Expo, the Intern Fair has remained a popular Flagship Event for years. This year, more than 40 employers from a variety of career paths will be at the Intern Fair on September 26.
School Partnerships
Over the years, Fall Career Week has partnered with schools and offices across campus to make the event possible. Event partners this year include Herron School of Art + Design; Kelley School of Business; Lilly School of Philanthropy; Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering; Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs; Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health; School of Engineering and Technology; School of Health and Human Sciences; School of Liberal Arts; School of Science; School of Social Work; and University Graduate School.
Jags in Suits
IUPUI’s beloved mascots Jawz, Jazzy, and Jinx, have made appearances at many Fall Career Week events over the years, modeling professional wear as examples for students.
Celebrating 15 years
Fall Career Week has provided students with meaningful professional development opportunities for the past 15 years and there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Get involved with the Fall Career Week anniversary celebration:
Students can celebrate the anniversary of this program by attending flagship events, career fairs, drop-in events, and other programming.
For more information, contact the Division of Undergraduate Education Office of Communications at duecomm@iu.edu.