From curious to confident: 5 tips to navigate the Further Education Fair like a pro
By Mary Lynne Bartlett
The Further Education Fair, hosted every fall by the Centre for Career Development (CCD), connects students with representatives from more than 80 schools worldwide, giving them the opportunity to explore programs, ask questions and make informed decisions about their education and potential career pathways.
Further education can include graduate programs, professional programs and other post-secondary studies you may pursue after your current degree. Whether further education has been part of your plan for years or you’re just starting to wonder what could come next, the fair is an opportunity to explore your options. If you’re thinking of checking it out, we’ve got you covered with our top five tips for navigating the event like a pro.
1. Start by exploring your options with a Career Advisor
Career Advisors play a key role in supporting you with career exploration. They offer more than résumé reviews, interview prep and cover letter feedback. They are also available to meet one-on-one with you to discuss further education pathways, explore career options and support with identifying and navigating your next steps. No matter where you are in your career exploration journey, meeting with a Career Advisor is a great first step.
Everyone starts from a different place when considering graduate or professional programs. For some, a conversation with a Career Advisor may spark interest in further education; for others, it’s a long-standing goal.
A Career Advisor can help you explore further education programs, understand the education requirements and estimate how long further studies might take.
If you’re short on time and can’t squeeze a career planning appointment in before the Fair, that’s okay. Explore CCD’s free online career resource, CareerHub. With eight sections covering a range of career topics, including further education, CareerHub offers practical guidance on planning for graduate or professional school, navigating the application process and preparing for interviews.
2. Prepare questions to get the answers you need
Schools and programs often specialize in particular research areas. Each one offers a unique curriculum, course format, set of learning objectives, academic schedule and grading system. As you explore graduate and professional school options, think about your academic interests, preferred learning style and the environments where you've been most successful.
Taking time to organize your thoughts before attending the Fair can help you have more meaningful conversations with school representatives.
Not sure what to ask? Start with questions like:
- What’s unique about the curriculum in your program?
- What types of roles have graduates from your program been hired for?
- Who is eligible for institutional funding?
- Are there work-integrated learning opportunities available?
- Is housing available for grad students? What is the cost?
- Does the program accept international or out of province applications?
- What career supports are available in this program?
You don’t need to ask every representative every question. Prioritize the topics that matter most to you and use them to compare your options.
3. Ask school representatives for application advice
When applying to graduate and professional programs, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each program is unique in its offerings, but also in what they’re looking for in applicants. The Further Education Fair is a great opportunity to connect with campus reps and learn exactly what is needed to apply to their specific program. They have the inside scoop on how to succeed, which might be different from what a professor or Career Advisor has told you.
Pro tip: bring something to write down suggestions or information that you don’t want to forget. You’ll get a lot of information coming at you at the fair, and you don’t want to forget anything!
4. Make a plan, but stay open to possibilities
Before attending the Fair, take some time to research schools and programs participating in the Further Education Fair. This will help you use your time and ensure that you get to talk to every program you’re interested in. Having an open mind to the possibilities might just land you in your dream career.
Career Advisors are on-site during the fair to answer questions and book follow-up appointments for more in-depth discussions about further education.
5. Keep the momentum going
The conversations you have at the fair are a starting point. Set aside time afterward to review your notes and think about which programs stood out to you.
From there, consider your next steps. You might want to research a program in more detail, compare admission requirements and application deadlines, or follow up with a representative with any additional questions.
Remember, you don’t have to navigate these next steps alone. CCD offers workshops focused on graduate and professional programs to support students through the application process.
Your path to further education starts now
Now that you’ve got our top five tips for the Fair, you’re ready to thrive. From exploring possibilities day of, to submitting applications after the fair, just remember that we're here year-round with the resources and support you need to take the next step in your education journey.