In a strategic and creative collaboration, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Career Exploration & Education joined together to host the Graduating & Alumni Career Fair at the Chelsea Hotel last February. Open to University of Toronto (U of T) and TMU students and recent graduates, the fair successfully connected 1,000 students with 53 employers, offering invaluable insights into diverse career paths.
At the heart of this transformative experience were face-to-face engagements between students and employers, where discussions on recruitment processes, job opportunities, workplace culture and career paths unfolded. This pivotal moment marked the transition from university life to the professional world for students and provided alumni with an opportunity to reflect on their professional journeys.
The fair’s impact was evident in the numbers: 70 attendees participated in the “How to Network at a Career Fair Workshop”, 30 students benefited from personalized resume review career fair appointments, and more than 112 students seized the opportunity at the elevator pitch booth to make memorable impressions on potential employers.
The fair also featured an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) themed breakfast event, providing Indigenous and equity-deserving students with an intimate space to connect with recruiters and fostering discussions on workplace environments and shared identities.
Reflecting on the event, students expressed their enthusiasm:
“The opportunities were splendid; the employers and representatives at the booths were friendly despite the busy and constant traffic they were subjected to and were very engaging and eager to give feedback.”
This collaboration facilitated cross-institutional learning, strengthened employer partnerships and served the influx of new graduates entering the labor market. The impact of this partnership extended beyond the fair, enhancing the educational and career experiences of the next generation. The success of the Graduating & Alumni Career Fair underscores the importance of such collaborative initiatives in shaping the professional journeys of students and alumni alike.