UK students can prepare now for fall career fair season
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Career fair season is approaching at the University of Kentucky, bringing opportunities for students across majors to connect with employers, explore career paths and learn more about internships and jobs.
But students do not have to wait until they walk through the doors of a career fair to get started.
The Stuckert Career Center, a unit within the UK Office for Student Success, offers resources throughout the semester to help students prepare, from reviewing a resume and researching employers to practicing how to make connections and putting together a professional look.
For Nicole Keenan, director of the Stuckert Career Center, the value of attending extends beyond securing a single job or internship.
“I wish more students understood that a career fair is the beginning of an exciting career journey,” Keenan said. “Learning how to connect with employers, ask thoughtful questions, build relationships, and explore opportunities is a valuable career skill they will use throughout their professional lives. I hope they take advantage of this opportunity to make connections and practice these skills now. This experience will serve them well long after they leave the university.”
Prepare before the fair
Students looking to strengthen their resumes or talk through their career goals can visit the Stuckert Career Center for drop-in advising from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Resume Labs are also offered from 1-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For more individualized support, students can schedule one-on-one career advising appointments through Handshake. Career advisors can assist with career exploration, job searches, interview preparation and other career-related needs.
Students can also take advantage of several resources as they prepare:
- Wildcat Wardrobe: Students can access professional clothing to help them feel confident and career ready.
- Professional headshots: Headshots are available at the Stuckert Career Center from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Handshake: Students can use Handshake to learn about employers, explore opportunities and build their profiles ahead of career fairs.
- Career Fair Plus: The Career Fair Plus app allows students to research participating employers, view fair maps and plan which employers they want to connect with before arriving.
Tori Summey, associate director of employment engagement, encourages students to use that preparation as a starting point while remaining open to opportunities they may not have previously considered.
“Be open to discovering something new at a career fair,” Summey said. “You may not recognize every employer, but that’s part of the experience. Career fairs give you the chance to learn about companies actively recruiting UK students and explore opportunities you may not have considered.”
She also encourages students not to put too much pressure on themselves to deliver a perfect introduction when meeting employers.
“Networking is about having a conversation, not delivering the perfect pitch,” Summey said. “Come prepared, but don’t let that preparation inhibit a genuine conversation. Ask good questions, share your experiences, and be yourself. The students who stand out are energetic, prepared and able to connect.”
Fall 2026 career fairs
Career fairs will happen throughout the fall semester, beginning Sept. 15. Students can follow the links below for additional information and registration.
- Hire Blue Part-Time Job Fair: Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Accounting Internship & Career Fair: Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Pigman Civil Engineering Career Expo: Sept. 21, 4-7 p.m.
- Pigman Engineering & Computer Science Career Fair: Sept. 22, 2-6 p.m.
- Hire Blue All Majors Career Fair: Sept. 23, noon-4 p.m.
- Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair: Oct. 1, 2-5 p.m.
- College of Communication & Information Career Fair: Oct. 7, 1-4 p.m.
- Careers in the Environment Career Fair: Oct. 29, 1-4 p.m.
- Arts & Culture Career Fair: Nov. 11, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Students are encouraged to review individual career fair information in advance for event details, participating employers and registration information.
At the University of Kentucky, students are at the center of all that we do. From the moment you become a Wildcat through graduation and beyond, the Office for Student Success is committed to supporting you. Comprised of more than 40 units, the office is united by one vision — to help students live a life of meaning and purpose. Student Success designs and delivers unparalleled services and supports a community of learners in achieving their wildest ambitions. In the Office for Student Success, this is what we do — this is who we are. Explore Student Success resources.