As part of the pillar “Expose”, a career fair is an event where DHL volunteers run a stand/booth and speak to young people as representatives of DHL Group and the logistics industry. In general, multiple employers gather in one place to meet young people, establish professional relationships, an discuss potential job and/or internship opportunities. A career fair could also be conducted without involving other companies.
The career fair is an open field of guidance, consultancy, and exploration of career options for young people. Volunteers talk about career opportunities and share what their personal career paths looked like. Participants have the chance to ask questions and to get in touch with the people. Often young people can take part in informal mini-interviews, interviewing the volunteers. Career fairs include learning opportunities for young people about their own skills, about new options the different career paths within a company, and about new skills that can help get a job. An immense level of confidence can also be built. Presenting oneself in front of strangers and professional employees is the first and the biggest learning that young people get in these career fairs. Making a positive impression with employers in person can help young people to stand out in the application process for an internship or job.
5.4.1 Objectives
After having attended a career fair, participants should be able to:
· Explain the core business of the visited company/companies on a high level
· Identify which of the explored careers/positions match their vision of a future job opportunity and explain why
· Identify the skills needed for future careers/positions and identify any development needs
· Identify if the presented companies’ vision/mission matches their vision of a company they would wish to work for and explain why
· List 3 main takeaways of the visited career fair
· Write down contact details of the HR department/ responsible
· Identify where/how to find future job opportunities at the visited company/companies
5.4.2 Location
The career fair can be held at a school , SOS village or a DHL location. The benefit of organizing it in a DHL location is that all volunteers will be at the location and the audience will visit the actual DHL location and thus get familiar with the site. Any other locations could be discussed between the organizer and country coordinator.
5.4.3 Target audience
The target participants for a career fair as part of the GoTeach program are young people from vulnerable communities who are transitioning from school to the world of work. The organizations SOS Children’s Villages International and Teach for All Network will nominate the participants that would benefit from this intervention.
5.4.4 Duration
2 hours – 4 hours
5.4.5 GoTeach Library Materials
More detailed insights and information on this activity can be found in the material from our GoTeach library below.
