Career Centre to hold annual Grad Fair on October 1
The Graduate and Professional School’s Fair is here to connect students with leading graduate programs, professional schools, and academic institutions.
For many students at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), the start of a new academic school year is often marked by enthusiasm for starting classes afresh, connecting with new (and old) professors, and getting back into a familiar routine.
However, for those who plan to seek advanced studies post-graduation, this can be a disconcerting time. All too often, the pressure of perfecting graduate school applications overshadows students’ excitement. Thankfully, the annual Graduate and Professional Schools Fair (GPSF) at UTM is here to clarify the process and keep students informed of their choices after graduation.
This year, the GPSF will be held at the Recreation, Athletics, & Wellness Centre on October 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Run by the Career Centre, it offers students the opportunity to speak with a variety of program representatives and learn more about their institutions and the programs they offer.
At the GPSF, students can expect a lively environment where they can connect with representatives from Canadian and international graduate programs as well as from a wide range of institutions, including professional schools in medicine, law, business, and education. The full list of schools attending the fair is available in the floor plan on the Career Centre’s GPSF web page.
The Medium held an email interview with Jason John, Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Marketing at the Career Centre, about the rationale behind the GPSF.
John wrote that the grad fair is designed to provide “direct access to information, resources, and representatives” that can guide and empower students to make informed decisions. It is held to “demystify the application process” and help students explore potential career pathways.
John posited that the GPSF is an indispensable starting point for undergraduates who wish to pursue further study. According to him, it allows these students to compare institutions and programs in one place and speak directly with admissions representatives about program requirements, funding, and career trajectories.
To get the most out of the GPSF, students should prepare prior to attending the fair with thoughtful questions for school representatives. The Career Centre offers workshops and online resources to help students plan ahead, such as its sample questions guide. It also recommends program research tools like universitystudy.ca.
Addressing readers, John clarified that “representatives may cover specific programs (e.g., law, medicine) or entire graduate schools, so bring your questions and a notebook for notes rather than resumes or transcripts, as applications are not accepted at the fair.” Some representatives may ask about students’ academic background to discuss program eligibility, which students may share verbally.
The fair is also an opportunity for students to practice and develop their soft skills. Besides the obvious networking, students can learn research and career-planning skills by comparing programs, evaluating options and “developing a better understanding of how graduate study connects to long-term career goals,” wrote John. They can also learn communication skills by asking representatives “targeted, professional questions.”
UTM students who are still undecided about attending may head to the UTM Career Centre, located in room DV 2228 of the William G. Davis building or email the Events Team at ccevents.utm@utoronto.ca with any questions they may have.
