Career Events for Students & Alumni

PSU Spring Career & Internship Fair (Viking Pavilion)

All Majors + Engineering & Technology Fair: Oct. 27, 2025

Career Week at PSU

Career Week is your one-stop, resource-filled week each term to explore career paths, connect with employers, and gain tools to launch your future. We’ve taken the career events you already know and love like career fairs, networking opportunities, employer panels, and résumé reviews and packed them into one powerful week so you can get the most out of PSU’s career resources in a short, focused time.

Why it matters: Career Week is your chance to meet employers face-to-face, learn about industries, put your professional skills into practice, and discover new opportunities—all while building your confidence and network.

How you’ll know what’s happening: Each term, the University Career Center will share a full schedule of Career Week events through Handshake, social media, newsletters, and campus flyers.

What to Expect

Career Fairs for all majors (plus specialty fairs like Engineering/Tech and Accounting)
Industry Days highlighting in-demand career fields
Networking events like Career Convos
Employer-led résumé reviews and workshops
Special events from PSU colleges and departments
Fun extras like professional headshots and our Career Clothing Closet Fashion Show

No matter where you are in your career journey, Career Week will have something for you.

Career Week FAQs

1. Do I need to attend every event?
Nope! Career Week is flexible. You can attend just one event or as many as you like. Pick what fits your goals and schedule.

2. Do I need to register in advance?
Some events require registration (like the Career Fair in Handshake), but many are drop-in friendly. Event details will tell you how to sign up.

3. Is Career Week only for seniors? What If I’m a graduate student?
Not at all! Whether you’re a first-year exploring majors, a transfer student building connections, a senior preparing to graduate, or a graduate student looking for career guidance, Career Week has opportunities for everyone.

4. How can I prepare for Career Week?
Check the event schedule in advance, update your résumé, and practice introducing yourself. The University Career Center also offers preparatory events before and during Career Week to help you feel confident.

6. How much does it cost to attend?
It’s free! All Career Week events are open to PSU students and alumni.

7. Where can I find the schedule?
The full schedule will be posted on Handshake, shared in the University Career Center newsletter, and promoted on social media/around campus.

8. When is Career Week?

Fall Career Week: October 20-24, 2025 (Career Fair: Monday, October 27, 2025)
Winter Career Week: February 2-5, 2026 (Career Fair: Monday, February 9, 2026)
Spring Career Week: April 20-24, 2026 (Career Fair: Thursday, April 23, 2026)

Fall 2025: All Majors + Engineering & Technology Fair

Location: PSU Viking Pavilion (930 SW Hall Street)

Date: Monday, October 27, 2025

Time: 11am-3pm

Register today!

Benefits of Attending a Career Fair

Career fairs allow job-seekers to learn about job openings and network.
Employers are attending because they want to hire PSU students and alumni! Take this opportunity to make progress in your job and internship search by connecting with employers and making a great first impression!
This is a great opportunity to build your network. Networking is one of the most valuable skills you can develop as a student, since you'll use it throughout your career.
It's a unique opportunity to get exposure to a variety of industries (e.g., government, nonprofit, corporate, etc.) and see which ones suit your skills and interests.
Learn about different career paths and ask questions directly of employers.
Develop and implement your professional image, "elevator pitch," and confidence in approaching employers.

Preparing for Career Fairs

Review the list of registered employers on Handshake, and identify 3-5 organizations that you'd like to connect with at the fair. Learn about the organizations via their LinkedIn accounts and company webpages (e.g., About pages, lists of current job openings, mission statements, etc.).
Prepare a few questions for the employers that you plan to visit at the fair. This is your opportunity to ask clarifying questions about job and internship openings, among other things.
Think about how you'd like to introduce yourself to employers, making sure to prepare and rehearse your introduction or "elevator pitch." This is your chance to highlight skills and experiences that you've collected that are relevant to the organization.
Bring 5-10+ copies of your résumé to the fair.
Take notes, so that you can track key points and remember the names of recruiters and hiring manager that you meet at the fair.
Follow-up with employers after the fair via email or LinkedIn, thanking them for their time, reminding them of your conversation, asking clarifying questions, mentioning positions that interest you, requesting informational interviews, or simply suggesting that you'd like to stay in touch.
Make your interactions with employers count. Employers will notice a thoughtful and well-prepared candidate when they meet one!

Resources & Support from the University Career Center

Schedule an appointment with our internship coordinator or one of our career counselors for assistance in preparing for the fair.
Visit the University Career Center during drop-in hours for same-day support.
Attend one of our upcoming workshops to update your résumé and learn about networking.
Review our premade list of career fair questions, using what you learn to inform how you engage with employers.

Handshake Guides

Questions to Ask Recruiters

What is a typical time to recruit for entry-level positions?
Are you primarily doing virtual interviews, or is there an in-person component to interviews?
How many interviews are common for a typical hire?
How can I find out the name of the recruiter for a specific position? I'd like to address my materials to them directly.
Do people who come in entry level stay there for long, or is there a trajectory for growth?
If I'd like to begin a position with your company after I graduate, when should I plan to apply?
Do you like to see academic projects and coursework on a resume if much of my paid experience is not related to the position? What kinds of academic projects are helpful to include?
Are there any technical components to the interview?
What's one of your favorite questions to ask in an interview?

Questions to Ask Hiring Managers

How did you start out with this company?
What is something you wish you knew before you started working here?
Can you walk me through a day in the life of your position?
What's a project you've worked on that you're really proud of?
How has Covid impacted your work, or the work that your division does?
What trends should I be paying attention to?
How long did it take you to get to the job you have now? Did you know that's what you wanted to do when you started out, or did you stumble across it along the way?
Is the culture collaborative, or more individual? How often are you working in teams vs. independently?

What to Wear

Dress for the type of industry and company culture you are interested in. For Example, you want to work for a casual, dog-friendly office? Casual wear is ideal!
Research what the company culture looks like for the career you're interested in! Check out their staff pages, LinkedIn, etc. Look at what current employees are wearing and the type of work environment.
Don't make it too casual! If you wouldn't wear it to an interview, you shouldn't be wearing it to a career fair.
Wear something that makes you comfortable and confident. It's not always a suit & tie!

List of Registered Employers

University Career Center | 342 FMH
1855 SW Broadway | M-F, 9am-5pm
(503) 725-4613 | careers@pdx.edu

University Career Center on Social Media