You’ve probably seen the posters around school advertising the local careers expo or industry fair. Maybe you’ve thought about going, or maybe it just seemed like another thing to add to your already busy schedule. Honestly, these events are actually worth your time. They’re not just about collecting freebies and possibly getting some time out of lessons (though that’s a bonus). Careers expos give you direct access to the people who work in industries you’re curious about, and they can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
What you’ll actually gain from going
When you attend a careers expo, you’re stepping into a space where employers, training providers, and industry professionals have come specifically to meet people like you. They’re there because they want to let you know about opportunities in their industry and find future employees, apprentices, or trainees. They’re genuinely interested in talking to you about what they do.
You can always ask Google questions about jobs but it’s never going to be the same as talking to a person in the job (move over AI). things like, what’s a typical day actually like in their role? What do they wish they’d known when they were your age? How did they get into their field? These conversations could give you insights that no website or career quiz can provide. You’ll hear about the parts of jobs that don’t make it into the official job descriptions from the challenges, the unexpected perks, to the skills that really matter.
Plus, some employers offer opportunities on the spot. Whether it’s work experience placements, mentoring programmes, or invitations to industry workshops. Some might even be open to conducting informal interviews or take applications for apprenticeships and traineeships. If you’re prepared, and ask the right questions, you could walk away with your next step already arranged.
Understand different pathways into careers
One of the most valuable things about careers expos is discovering that there’s rarely just one way into any career. You might think you need a university degree to work in engineering, but then you meet Helena who started as an apprentice and now manages projects. Or you learn that Robin the veterinary nurse you were talking to actually started in retail before retraining.
People real career stories usually show that career paths aren’t straight lines. People regularly move between industries, gain qualifications whilst working, and build careers in unexpected ways. Opening your eyes to new ideas and illustrating how the choices you make now won’t lock you into just one future. Talking to professionals can help you see that there are always options and what some of those options actually look like.
Ask people about their background story. Find out what qualifications they needed, whether they studied full-time or alongside work, and what skills turned out to be most important. You’ll often find that soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and reliability, come up just as often as formal qualifications.
Making the most of career expos
Before you go, think about two or three industries you’re genuinely curious about. You don’t need to have your whole future mapped out, but having some focus helps you use your time well.
When you arrive, don’t just stick to the stands that look familiar or safe. Push yourself to talk to at least one representative from an industry you know nothing about. You might learn surprising facts like a construction company doing innovative research and work with sustainable materials. Or a logistics firm who are using cutting-edge technology. And you never know which bit of information or conversation could spark an unknown interest in you.
It’s might be nerve wracking the first time you approach someone, but they’re all there to break the ice and be helpful. A simple introduction like, “Hi, I’m in Year 10 and I’m interested in learning more about working in [their industry]. Can you tell me a bit about what your company does?” is all you need. From there, the conversation will probably flow naturally and they’ll be keen to tell you everything.
What to take and how to prepare
No, you won’t be expected to turn up in a full suit (unless that’s genuinely your style), wear something smart but casual, if not your school uniform. Being prepared is more about being ready to engage properly.
Take a notebook and pen or your phone. That way when someone tells you about a useful website, a qualification you should look into, or offers to send you information, you can write it down. You’ll forget otherwise. If you have one, why not take a few copies of your resume or a note with your contact details. Some employers might ask for this if they’re offering opportunities. Don’t stress if you don’t have a resume yet, offering up your email address and phone number written down is fine. You might like to set up a personal (professional) email address as well instead of using your school one, which can often be blocked from receiving non-school communications.
Have some questions ready that you’ve got about various industries or jobs. If you’re coming up blank then just jot down some generic questions you can ask as an ice breaker. For example: What does a typical day involve? What pathway did you take to get where you are? What skills should someone your age be developing for a future in this industry? What opportunities might be available for students?
Follow up afterwards
The expo doesn’t have to end when you leave. If someone gave you their business card or email address, consider sending them a quick message thanking them for their time. If they mentioned an opportunity, follow up on it. Or if they didn’t mention anything but you’re really keen on some work experience at the organisation, or you’ve chatted to your careers advisor and want to find out more, ask them about it. If they suggested looking into a particular qualification or organisation, do it.
This is where most people fall down, they have great conversations, collect information, then do nothing with it. To get the maximum benefit from careers expos take some small actions afterwards.
Take the next step
Careers expos are a great way to get accurate, up to date information about careers and opportunities that you can’t get from scrolling through career websites. They’re your chance to explore industries, discover opportunities, and make connections that could genuinely shape your future.
Ready to explore what’s out there? Check out our upcoming events page to find careers expos and industry fairs happening near you. Your future career might be waiting at the next one.
