Penn State Altoona Mock Networking Event
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Noon–1:30 p.m.
Slep Student Center

Everyone needs some practice preparing for a networking event or job/internship fair. Come build your employer network, connect with alumni, and practice attending a career fair.

Talk with staff, faculty, and alumni to learn more about opportunities and careers in various industries and get advice on increasing your marketability.

You will have an opportunity to:

  • Practice your elevator speech
  • Connect with alumni
  • Receive feedback on your resume
  • Learn tips on how to build your resume
  • Gain information about companies and opportunities available now or in the future.
  • Discuss skills and experiences needed in the workplace
  • Explore different career paths, lessons learned, and how to make the most of your time at Penn State.

Table of Contents

Employer Information

Help our students build their employer network and practice attending a career fair at the Penn State Altoona Mock Networking Event on Thursday, November 2, from noon–1:30 p.m.

This fair is intended for first- and second-year students as well as students wanting to improve their networking skills as they prepare for future career fairs. All Penn State Altoona students are welcome.

Arrival and Check-in

Check-in is between 10:30–11:45 a.m. When arriving at the fair in the morning, enter the college through the main entrance on Juniata Gap Road, using the address 3000 Juniata Gap Road, Altoona, PA 16601. Follow the road straight into the Smith Lot (Employee Parking) in front of the Smith Building. Park in one of the designated areas to unload. After you unload, parking is available in the Ivy Lot. As you exit the Smith lot, the Ivy Lot is to the right. View our campus map.

Your reserved table will be labeled. Career service staff will be available to assist with questions and set-up.

Booth Dimensions and Set-up

Your area will be equipped with one six-foot table and two chairs. If you think you might need an extension cord for your display, please bring it with you; the facility cannot provide extension cords.

A blue table covering will be provided.

What to Bring

Please bring your business cards to provide to the students. Feel free also to bring a table display, company literature, and/or giveaways.

Attire

Business casual attire is recommended. Some students may not be dressed in business casual as this is their first experience attending a career fair.

Lunch

The Port-Sky Café is open if you would like to purchase lunch before or after the fair. Credit or debit cards must be used for purchases. The Café does not accept cash at this time.

Student Information

Penn State Altoona Mock Networking Event
Thursday, November 2
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Slep Student Center

This fair is intended for first- and second-year students as well as students wanting to improve their networking skills and prepare for upcoming career fairs. All Penn State Altoona students are welcome.

What is a Mock Networking Event?

This event is designed for students to practice their networking skills with faculty, staff, alumni, and community members in a safe environment. Students will have an opportunity to practice their thirty-second pitch, receive feedback on resumes, gain tips on how to build skills, learn about career paths and local companies, and network with professionals.

Professional representatives will share their different career paths, lessons learned, tips on how to make the most of your time while in college, and opportunities to increase your marketability.

What is Networking?

Networking is developing relationships or contacts with individuals with the goal of sharing information and furthering both of your careers. Networking can build your base of contacts for future reference and provide a support system as you explore and pursue career goals.

The purpose of networking is not just about who you know but who knows you; you already have contacts who can become the basis for your network.

This event will provide an opportunity to talk with professionals from the local area to add to your network and contacts. Learning more about their career paths and choices, as well as where they are today, can assist you with your own career path.

As you network at the Mock Networking Event, professionals will share their contact information with you to allow for future follow-up during your career development.

List of Representatives Attending

We will continue to add participating companies. Please continue to check back regularly for the most up-to-date company list.

View Participating Representatives and Companies Here

Preparing for the Mock Networking Event

  • Select your outfit. Business casual is recommended
  • Review the list of representatives attending and identify who you might want to talk with at the event. Plan to talk with at least two to four representatives.
  • Prepare your thirty-second introduction. It will make it easier to introduce yourself to the representatives.
  • Practice your thirty-second introduction.
  • Prepare a few questions to ask each representative.
  • Update your resume. Representatives may provide feedback on resumes and skill-building for future events. If you need help creating or brushing up your resume, make an appointment with one of our career counselors. Schedule an appointment by calling 814-949-5058 or emailing [email protected].
  • If you have a resume completed, print multiple copies of your resume to share with representatives. Need your resume printed? The Career Service Office, located in room 201 of the Slep Student Center, is available to assist you.

On the Day of the Event

  • Attend the Mock Networking Event on Thursday, November 2, between noon-1:30 p.m. in the Slep Student Center.
  • Practice your thirty-second introductions with each representative, ask questions, and share your resume if available.
  • Ask for a business card to stay connected.
  • Have fun. Remember this is a practice session to help prepare you for future networking.

Following the Event

  • Send an email to each representative to thank them for their time and feedback.
  • Add the representative’s contact information to your professional network to be used for future reference and to provide support as you explore and pursue career goals.

What to Wear

Business casual is recommended but not required.

What is business casual?

Usually, dress pants or a skirt with a blouse or sweater. Khakis or neutral-colored pants with a polo, sweater, or colored shirt always look great. Shoes can be more casual.

Thirty-Second Introduction

Introduce yourself to the representative in a positive and confident manner. Include your name, your intended major or career, and what year you are in school.

Then, choose a question from the list of informational interview questions below to learn more about the representative and their career path.

This will begin the conversation. You may then follow up with additional questions either from the list below or some of your own. Take this time to learn more about the representative and what you should do to prepare for future networking events and the workforce.

Sample Thirty-Second Introduction

"My name is [your name]. I am a first-year student pursuing a [your major] degree or career. Can you tell me a little about yourself and how you got to where you are today?"

Informational Interview Questions

Select a few questions from this list to ask the representatives attending the Mock Networking Event.

  • About the Person:
    • What is your educational background?
    • How did you get started in this field?
    • How did you get to where you are today?
    • What jobs did you have previous to this?
    • What best prepared you for this job?
  • About the Job:
    • What do you do during a typical workday?
    • What do you like most or find most interesting about your work?
    • What kinds of problems do you face? What do you find most difficult?
    • What skills or abilities do you find are most important in your work?
    • Tell me about your experience working at your company.
  • About the Career Field:
    • What are the basic skills and experiences needed for jobs in the field?
    • What is the typical work environment like for a person in this career area?
    • How long does it usually take to move from one step to the next in this career path?
  • About Your Career Planning and/or Job Search:
    • Would you recommend any specific courses or activities to help prepare me for the workplace?
    • Are there any resources you recommend I review or organizations I could join to stay current with trends in the field?
    • Do you have any other advice or suggestions?

Resumes

If you have a resume created, provide the representative with a copy. Ask for feedback on your resume and what activities and skills would be beneficial to add to your resume.

Career Counselors are available to assist you with creating or reviewing your resume for this event. To schedule an appointment with our counselor, contact her directly or call or email Penny Harding, Administrative Assistant, at [email protected] or 814-949-5058.

The Career Counselor is also available to assist with career development, mock interviews, job and internship searches, career exploration, and more.

Representative’s Name and Contact Information

Make sure you obtain the representative’s name and contact information or business card. After the Mock Networking Event, you should make a point to follow up with an email thanking the representative for their time.

Add their information to your professional network to be used for future reference and to provide support as you explore and pursue career goals.