Career Fair Info for Registered Employers

What to do Prior to the Engineering Career Fairs

Students often decide which employers to speak with at the fair based on the information found in CyHire. Posting one or more appealing position descriptions in CyHire will result in more visits by candidates who are specifically interested in working for your organization. Also, ensure that your organization’s CyHire profile information is complete and current so students will quickly find the information you want them to see.

Info sessions are a great way to increase name recognition on campus and get more students interested in working for your organization. These can be held in-person or virtually at any point during the semester. To learn more and get started scheduling an info session, visit: https://www.engineering.iastate.edu/ecs/employers/information-sessions/.

Each representative participating in the in-person or virtual career fairs needs to be added to the registration form to ensure they receive important information  and have a name tag (in-person fairs). The registering contact can enter this information while registering, or update it after the initial registration. Please limit to a maximum of 5 representatives per booth for in-person fairs.

Iowa State University is committed to equal employment opportunity and to assuring that its programs are free from prohibited discrimination and harassment. Additionally, employers should give a 2-week offer window to allow students an opportunity to participate in as much of the full recruiting season as possible before making an employment commitment. This will also reduce the likelihood of a student accepting and then reneging on an offer.

Please review all recruiting policies here: https://www.engineering.iastate.edu/ecs/policies/

Employers participating in virtual fairs will have access to view the resumes of students who have RSVP’d for the virtual fair one week prior to the fair. It is encouraged to review resumes and reach out to students ahead of time to invite them to join your queue during the fair.

In-Person Career Fair Information

Tuesday, February 6th, 2024
12 PM – 5 PM
Scheman Building and Hilton Coliseum

Fall 2024 Dates:
September 18th and 24th, 2024
Scheman Building and Hilton Coliseum

9:00 am – 11:00 am Arrival and Set-Up
11:00 am – 12:30 pm Lunch
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Career Fair Open to Students
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Tear-Down and Employer Reception

After the career fairs, employer representatives are invited to a reception for appetizers and beverages.

Note: Registering for the Career Fair does not register your company for the next day Mass Interviewing event. If you would like an interview space, please visit the interviewing section on our website to learn more and register!

Booth Information:
Each 8′ wide x 8′ deep booth ($950/booth) comes with a 6′ draped table, two chairs, and two electrical outlets are provided with each registration. Please bring power strips if additional outlets are neededEmployers may bring up to five representatives per booth. You may register for additional booths pending availability.

Is this your first time attending and unsure what to bring?
Many employers bring branded items for their booth including a tablecloth with a logo or company name, pop-up banners/back drops, and swag giveaway items. Employers are welcome to bring any promotional or technical material that fits within the 8’ x 8’ booth. For specific questions or requests, please email our team at ecs@iastate.edu

Arrival and Check-In Information:
When you arrive at the career fair, you will check-in at the location indicated below and get your materials. Please be prepared to give the check-in staff a business card for all attendees.

Specific booth numbers will be emailed to the contact who registered approximately 2-3 weeks before the fair. 

  • Scheman: All employers with a booth in Scheman will check in with ECS Staff on the ground floor of the Scheman Building.
  • Hilton: All employers with a booth in Hilton will check in with ECS Staff at the Employer Check-In table on the outer  concourse of Hilton Coliseum (on the west side, outer concourse. Follow signage).

Supplies/Materials Drop off:
A limited number of ambassadors will be available to help you unload your materials from your vehicle if needed. Follow parking lot signage to drop-off locations. Employers with a booth in Hilton should drop off materials at the loading ramp on the east side of the building. Employers with a booth in Scheman should drop off materials at the north main doors of the Scheman Building.

Booth Maps:
View booth maps here. 

Parking:
Free parking is available on the north side of the Scheman Building and Hilton Coliseum in lots B1 and C1, overflow parking is available in B2 and C2. Click here to view the map.

Please send your items to the building where your booth is located (Hilton Coliseum or the Scheman Building) using the address below and have your company name (as it is listed on the career fair registration) clearly indicated on your materials.  Staff will have your items at your booth the morning of the fair.

 

  • If your shipping information requires the listing of a contact person, please use:
    • Scheman Building: Brooke Mease, 515-294-7488
    • Hilton Coliseum: Matt McLeod, 515-509-1654
  • Your items will be delivered to your assigned booth on the day of the event. Please be sure all items are clearly labeled with your company name as it is listed on the career fair registration.

Iowa State University
Scheman Building
1805 Center Drive
Ames, IA 50011
Attn: [Company Name] Booth #___ (<– Please use the company name listed on the career fair registration)
Hold for [DATE] Engineering Career Fair

Iowa State University
Hilton Coliseum
1705 Center Drive
Ames, IA 50011
Attn: [Company Name], Booth #___ (<– Please use the company name listed on the career fair registration)
Hold for [DATE] Engineering Career Fair

If you will be shipping items after the fair, please have all items completely packed, labeled, and taped at your booth. (Event staff will move your items to the shipping dock for you.)

 

  • Place your pre-printed return shipping labels on your packages. Return labels will NOT be available on the day of the fair.
  • Schedule a package pick-up from UPS or FedEx using the address of the building where your booth is located. Packages may be picked up during business hours (8a-5p). Please do not schedule a pick-up for the same day as the career fair as your items will still be in use.
  • Please note: If you do not schedule a package pickup, even if you have a return label, your items will not be picked up.

Iowa State University
Scheman Building
1805 Center Drive
Ames, IA 50011

-or-

Iowa State University
Hilton Coliseum
1705 Center Drive
Ames, IA 50011

If you are attending the BIT fair and your booth is in a different location, your materials will be moved for you. At the end of the Engineering Career Fair, please pack up your display materials completely, mark them with the new booth number, and they will be waiting for you at the new booth location in the morning. If you are staying in the same booth, you can simply leave your materials up at your booth.

 

Engineering Career Services Staff will be available in the help desk located on the 1st and 2nd floor of Scheman as well as the outer west concourse of Hilton throughout the day if you have any questions or concerns. Career Services student volunteers will be around the facility (Red shirts, or ISU Polos) to provide assistance as needed. You can also email ECS staff at ecs@iastate.edu for any concerns during the fair.

For all lodging information, visit the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau home page at: https://www.thinkames.com/poi/stay/

Recruiting Tips

The colored dots on the name tags of job seekers relate to their majors and are provided to help employers connect with more job seekers. Recruiters are encouraged to initiate conversations with individuals walking by their booth who may be interested in their employment opportunities.

Many of the ISU alums have experienced ISU career fairs and will be able to easily connect with students. Current Cyclones enjoy learning about Alums’ experiences and their professional paths.

Like, share, post, and tag ‘Iowa State Engineering Career Services’ on your Facebook and Instagram (@isu_ecs) posts! Send a tweet to @ISU_CoE with details about your booth location for the career fair and upcoming on-campus events and interviews.

While securing an employee is the target of the career fair, ensure you are engaging with first-year students to build relationships for the future. The interactions students have at their first career fairs often have a lasting impact on their employment decisions in the future. Please let ECS know if you have any concerns.

What to do After the Engineering Career Fairs

Employers are encouraged to interview students on-campus or coordinate virtually through CyHire. For more information on how to register, visit: https://www.engineering.iastate.edu/ecs/employers/on-campus-interviewing/

Please let ECS know if there is any additional support your team needs in the hiring process. If your team hires intern or co-op students, please encourage them to register the experience through our office. This helps us know which companies are actively hiring our students and helps us with corporate engagement efforts. As well, students that register their internships and co-ops so they show up on their transcripts, can use those hours towards a P.E. license. We thank you for your commitment to Iowa State University and the education and employment of our students.