Penn State Altoona Mock Networking Event
Thursday, November 10, from 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 10, from noon–1:30 p.m.
This fair is intended for first- and second-year students who want 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. 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. The Ivy Lot is to the right as you exit the Smith lot. View the campus map.
Your reserved table will be labeled. Career service staff will be available to assist with questions and set-up.
Booth Dimensions and Setup
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 is unable to 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 to also 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 the first experience they have had with a career fair)
Lunch
Port-Sky Café is open if you would like to purchase lunch before or after the fair. Credit card or debit card must be used for purchases. Port-Sky does not accept cash at this time.
Student Information
Penn State Altoona Mock Networking Event
Thursday, November 10, from 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 your 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 you an opportunity to talk with professionals in our 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
Come talk with faculty, staff, alumni and professionals at the Mock Networking Event. Learn about career paths, local companies, past college and work experience, and more.
We will continue to add participating companies. Please continue to check back regularly for the most up-to-date company list.
View List of Representatives Attending
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. Call 814-949-5058 or email [email protected] to set up an appointment.
- If you have a resume completed, print multiple copies of your resume to share with representatives. Need your resume printed? The Career Service Office is available to assist you in 201 Slep Student Center.
On the Day of the Event
- Attend the Mock Networking Event on Thursday, November 10, from 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 looks 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 list below or some of your own. Take this time to learn more about the representative and what you should do to prepare for the future networking events and the workforce.
Sample Thirty-second Introduction
My name is _____________. I am a first-year student and am pursing a _____________ 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 a copy of your resume. 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 one of our counselors contact them directly or contact Nicole McCloskey, administrative assistant, at [email protected] or 814-949-5058.
Career Counselors:
- Rebecca Maguda: [email protected] or 814-949-5059
Counselors are 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 for future reference and support as you explore and pursue career goals.