Booth Tips GENERAL TIPS Have signage at eye level instead of lying flat (utilize boxes to elevate handouts) Use foam core as a backdrop on tables for signage (can find at Walgreens, Target, craft stores) Education Student Organizations: Develop a handout describing your student org highlight mission, accomplishments, employer involvement, etc. Education Student Organizations: If available, bring your student organization tablecloth Use pictures from events as part of your design Scatter your materials so you don t have empty spaces on your table Identify the concentration (Elementary Ed., Special Ed., Secondary Ed., Math, ELA, areas of concentration)in a highly visible place on your display for recruiters to see (preferably at the top). Do not forget to include specifics like graduate or undergraduate. Add any extracurricular expertise as a selling point Address any common core standards knowledge Include your name on your display where it can be clearly read in pictures taken by the photographer RESOURCES Utilize the Educational Resource Lab using a die-cut machine to cut letters and shapes or Print Shop for printing: www.jsu.edu/edprof/isu/lrc or www.jsu.edu/printshop/index Technology Bring tangible items that you ve used to teach a lesson (books, arts and crafts, videos, etc.) PROFESSIONAL DRESS Even though you will not wear a suit to work every day, as a teacher, it is recommended that you wear a suit and comfortable shoes. No blue jeans and t-shirts. For more information on professional dress, contact Career Services. Recruiters will be voting based on: Professional & engaging Participation of members or students Attractive booth setup Informative materials The winning student organization, student, or December 2013 alumni will be notified by Wed, Feb. 12th. /students/register_educationfair.html
NETWORKING TIPS One key thing to remember with all career fairs is first and foremost, it s a NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY. Don t get stuck focusing on what the employer does; ask them if they have connections with anyone in the field YOU are interested in. NETWORKING FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION AND YOURSELF Know what you want to get out of the conversations you will have Remember that you are promoting the entire organization, and yourself Discuss the mission of your organization or your teaching philosophy or personal mission statement Education Organizations: Have pertinent facts on hand (number of members, common majors, events, etc.) You only have a limited amount of time, so hit the major points Engage the Employer as to how your organization differentiates itself from peers Ask questions! Make the employer know you and the organization members are interested in what they can provide Provide materials for the employer (card, pamphlet, flier, etc.) Take their information and follow up with them! Study up on scenario-based interview questions NETWORKING FOR YOURSELF Start with a solid handshake Make good eye contact! Give a snapshot of your relevant information Talk about your professional background, the common core standards and the skills you have developed Refer to your career goals, whether specific or broad at this point Ask about opportunities with the employer s organization Give them your card, and be sure to get their card as well Send a thank you message and keep the line of communication open YOUR 60 SECOND COMMERCIAL: This will arm you with all you need to begin an intelligent and effective conversation with employers. Where you are now (degree, program, year in college) Where you have been (career-related experience, leadership experience, part-time work experience) Where you are going (future goals) Example: Hello. I m Dan and I will graduate in 2014 with my Bachelor of Science in Education. As a student here at Jacksonville, I have had the chance to gain leadership and organizational skills through my involvement in the ABC Club. In addition, I have worked for two years as a student worker in the XYZ Office allowing me to gain valuable customer service experience. I am seeking a full-time position in the field of Early Childhood Elementary for the next academic year. Can you share with me any opportunities within your organization that might fit with my skills and experience? *Ending with a question REALLY helps the conversation progress smoothly. Make sure to practice! /students/register_educationfair.html
WHAT IS A REVERSE CAREER? Employers consistently ask for exposure to Jacksonville State University students, student organizations and student leaders. Education Fair is an excellent opportunity for students, education student organizations, and student leaders to showcase their professional skills and the values and skills gained as a result of being a student at JSU. In a typical education fair, employers set up booths and students walk around to meet with recruiters representing each school. With a Reverse Education Fair we turn the tables and have students and student organizations set up table displays and the recruiters are the ones who walk around to meet with students and student groups. Recruiters have the opportunity to view displays and talk to presenters; interviews may be conducted in the afternoon (recruiters choice), following lunch where recruiters will be joined by JSU faculty and administration and students will have lunch on their own. As a student or student organization registrant you will receive: One six-foot table Light refreshments Attending list of school systems A chance to sell yourself and the skills you have gained as part of your student experience AND chance to be awarded BEST OVERALL BOOTH by employers (employers will vote based on professional & engaging participation of members, attractive setup, and informative materials.) Reverse setup will take place from 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4. Students/Graduates must pre-register for this event. Each presenter will have a 6 table and should prepare accordingly for this space. Bring your items to the Leone Cole Auditorium and our staff will explain setup at that point. Presenters should occupy their tables by 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5. /students/register_educationfair.html
Career Services is hosting a Reverse Education Fair on February 5 th 2014, beginning at 7:30 a.m. CST. The event is open to December 2013 education graduates and Spring 2014 upcoming education graduates. Unlike past career fairs, our future educators will set up displays for recruiters to browse, giving them an opportunity to see each student s creativity and personality in action. FUTURE EDUCATORS: This is an incredible opportunity to show off your skills to school systems! You will be allowed a 6 table area to make a display that demonstrates your skills and abilities as an educator. Set-up for this event will be Tuesday, February 4th from 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. You will need to occupy your display at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5th. You may register for a table display by registering online at. Pre-registration is required! You may be selected by school systems for afternoon interviews, so please be prepared to stay on campus until 4:30 p.m. or later. SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY FEB. 5, 7:30 a.m. STUDENT ARRIVAL & LAST MINUTE SET-UP 7:45 a.m. PHOTOGRAPHS IN FRONT OF YOUR DISPLAY Snacks provided for students and recruiters 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. STUDENT DISPLAY BROWSE SESSION Occupy your exhibit by 7:30 a.m. Recruiters will be collecting resumes and scheduling afternoon interviews Bring 20+ resumes printed on resume paper there will not be a copier available at the fair for printing resumes Professional dress required (suit); be mindful of the shoes you wear the floor is very hard and you will be standing for several hours 10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. STUDENT DISPLAY BROWSE SESSION (continued) Selected JSU faculty & administration are invited to browse. Please do not leave your booth during this time
11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. LUNCH (on your own) 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. RECRUITER BROWSE Students interested in particular school systems will have an opportunity to visit recruiters at their table Students may break down their display during this time 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. (or later) INTERVIEWS (optional) Interviews will be scheduled by recruiters during the morning browse sessions Students may also break down their display during this time Students will need to pre-register for this event no later than January 6, 2014. Be sure to view the video of last year s inaugural Reverse. To register for the fair, visit, and select the Education Fair 2014 Register Here link. A list of school systems will be listed at, and updated as schools register for the fair. This is an opportunity for Jacksonville State University students and alumni to showcase their professionalism as educators. We also hope this gives recruiters a greater insight into how well the JSU faculty prepares students to become educators.