Deciding whether or not to attend college after high school and what institution to attend is one of the most important decisions young adults make. Every fall students from high school to college have the opportunity to attend college and career fairs in their local area. Local school systems organize them. College preparatory agencies organize them. Youth development agencies organize them. Congressional leaders organize them. But are they worth the time and preparation? Of course they are. And for more reasons than any of you might think.
I recommend students begin attending college and career fairs as early as 9th grade. I even recommend students who don’t think they want to go to college attend at least one college fair. I recommend students attend so that they not only become familiar with various academic institutions and potential professions but also so that they are knowledgeable about how to represent themselves when they become high school seniors.
Local college fairs and college tours give teens the opportunity to practice valuable skills. Students should be dressed for success. Students should collect and bring the proper documentation. Students should be able to introduce themselves and ask intelligent questions of recruiters. They must be able to visit various vendors and/or gather information in a certain amount of time. Students must also know how to get noticed in a crowd of other students. To put it more plainly, students will exercise research, organization, communication, and social skills at every college and career fair they attend. These are the same skills that employers seek in potential employees. As with most things in life – students will improve these skills with time and practice at every college and career fair they attend. Our Packaged For Success™ Portfolio Development Program offers additional benefits and strategies.
