College and Career Fair/Expo

(Educator Guide)

Approximate amount of time

Approximate audience size

College and Career Fair / Expo

Students learn about various industries/organizations by visiting an event where multiple employers/organizations attend to present information and answer career questions. These opportunities allow time for students to learn from professionals by asking career questions to employers from multiple sectors.

These visits can be done in-person or through a virtual platform under the direct supervision of a teacher or approved school staff member (if students are underage).

College and Career Fair/Expo Outcomes

Provide students the opportunity to learn about a wide range of careers, jobs, companies, work environments, and the post-secondary education/training necessary to enter and advance in the workforce

Provide opportunities for students to explore and understand educational and career options in order to develop and implement personal, educational, and career goals

Provide an opportunity for students to gather information and learn about the expectations of a professional workplace (dress code, workplace culture, etc.)

Encourage students to ask questions and learn more about getting hired and advancing in different careers

Explain to student who helped you get to the job you have

Introduce employability skills to students

Preparing to host/attend a College and Career Fair/Expo

Develop learning objectives for student participation in the career fair/expo
Share learning objectives for the fair/expo presentation with industry/community partners
Share learning objectives with students
Coordinate with industry/community partner to ensure that examples, vocabulary, and any planned activities are age appropriate and aligned to what is being taught in the classroom
Arrange any media needs with the presenter in advance
Offer age and content appropriate engagement suggestions to presenters
Complete necessary forms in a timely manner prior to the activity
- - HIDOE examples: Travel, Parent Permission, Administrator Approval, etc.

Following-Up after a College and Career Fair/Expo Presentation

Host teacher will share any additional student questions/feedback/reflections with industry/community partners
Gather feedback and reflections from industry/community partners.
Gather feedback from students and teacher participants
Debrief with planning team to create a plan for upcoming events based on feedback/reflections.
Work with industry/community partners to develop additional work-based learning experiences along the WBL Continuum

Examples of College and Career Fairs/Expos

This example of a career expo includes:

Virtual Platform
Speakers from a wide range of career fields
Recordings of sessions available
Student and teacher guides included

This example of a College Fair includes:

Virtual Platform
Speakers from a wide range of career fields
Recordings of sessions available

Typically one-time experiences at school or through a huakaʻi or field trip to build student awareness of the wide range of career, college, and community options available to them

Awareness Experiences

Exploration activities go beyond brief exposure of awareness-building experiences by extending the experience through multiple interactions or more rigorous student participation

Exploration Experiences

Preparation level experiences strengthen student content knowledge and skills through coursework linked to extended interaction with community and industry professionals

Preparation Experiences

Training experiences are extended interactions that require the application of the learned technical, employability, and academic knowledge in real-world industry settings

Training
Experiences