HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A CAREERS FAIR

Our annual Vocations Fayre is less than a week away and we have compiled a list of ways to ensure that you make the most of the event.

What is the Vocations Fayre?

Like any careers fair you may attend, our annual Vocations Fayre is an opportunity for you to speak to employers, professionals, apprenticeship providers and representatives from universities under the roof of our College Sports Hall.

There will be over 50 exhibitors ready and waiting to answer your questions, give you advice and chat to you about what they do day-to-day.

What is the aim of the event?

✔️ To help you make an informed decision on the direction you would like YOUR future to take!

✔️ To help you tap into your own strengths and interests to see what courses and careers match up to them.

TOP TIP: Recognise and appreciate that what is best for you, may not be what is best for your friends. Find your own vocation!

1. Come prepared

From having a pen and paper to hand to jot down contact details of a potential work experience placement, to having a list of questions you would like answered at the event ready, coming prepared will help you make the most of the 3 hour event.

2. Get your stamp card stamped!

By having this record of the stands and talks you visited, you will not only be able to gain 6 points towards your Enterprise and Employability Challenge for the Welsh Baccalaureate but, it will also be a handy reminder of what you learnt. (See point 5)

Don’t forget to see Careers Wales as they will have advice for each and every one of you!

If you are at an event where it isn't a requirement to record who you've spoken to, don't let that stop you! Make sure you still visit as many stalls as possible and make a note of who you've spoken to - you never know when it might come in handy.

3. Ask questions and chat!

All the exhibitors are there because they want to help and they all believe that there is no such thing as a silly question.

The exhibitors want to help you make the right choices for your future, clarify any doubts you may have or help you get a realistic insight into the rewards and demands of a course or career.

Likewise, the exhibitors have lots to tell you, too! So, don’t be daunted by going up and chatting to them if you don’t know what to ask.

4. Try something new

There are probably thousands of jobs you don’t even know exist!

Don’t be afraid to attend a talk or visit a stand of a career or company you have never heard of; you never know, you may find the perfect job or course for YOU!

5. Reflect

After the event, think about what you learnt and experienced.

It is likely to be a busy event and there will be lots of information, flyers and freebies(!) on offer. So, it is important you sit down afterwards and think about how what you have learnt and experienced may impact your future.

Is university for you or are you now considering an apprenticeship? After hearing about the long shift hours of Occupational Therapists, is this a career path you still want to pursue?

6. Don't stop!

This event is just the tip of the iceberg; the key to a successful future is research.

Therefore, don’t stop when you walk out of the doors of the Sports Hall at 5:30pm on Wednesday 30th January; see this as the start of your journey to finding your vocation.

Attend Open Days, find work experience and use Unifrog to research careers, courses and training further.

TOP TIP: Both during the Vocations Festival and beyond, seize every opportunity to make sure the choice you make for after St David’s is the right one for YOU!