Career and Community Meet-Up

Career and Community Meet-Up is an open networking event for UF students and alumni to connect with employers. Employers attending the event are looking to recruit UF students and alumni for a variety of experiences- including internships and jobs. This event allows students and employers to meet each other in a more casual, relaxed environment.

Networking is one of the most common ways to hear about employment opportunities. By attending Career and Community Meet-Up, you can walk away with organization and industry knowledge that can help enhance your resume as well as guide you on your career path.

1. Exploring:Career and Community Meet-Up can be a great opportunity to learn more about different career pathways and organizations. By the time you are in your junior and senior years looking for jobs and internships, you will be a networking expert!
2. Internship Seeking: You might be going to learn about specific organizations and what opportunities they can offer you.
3. Full Time Job Seeking: You might be ready to find full-time employment after graduation and make a personal connection with companies you are interested in.

Start with identifying the organizations you are interested in and researching them. You can find a list on Gator CareerLink!

1. Prepare questions or comments about the organization and positions that interest you
2. Prepare your introduction- Check out our elevator pitch guide to help you!
3. Make sure you plan your professional outfit for the event. We recommend business casual for this event.
4. Ensure you have your resume ready to go!
5. Stop by any of our Career Showcase Prep Events!

Start with identifying the organizations you are interested in and researching them. You can find a list on Gator CareerLink!

1. Prepare questions or comments about the organization and positions that interest you
2. Prepare your introduction- Check out our elevator pitch guide to help you!
3. Make sure you plan your professional outfit for the event. We recommend business casual for this event.
4. Ensure you have your resume ready to go!
5. Stop by any of our Career Showcase Prep Events!

While Career and Community Meet-Up is a more relaxed networking event, it is still important to bring printed resumes to share with employers. If you have different career interests, be sure to bring different resumes tailored to your interests. You may also want to prepare a list of questions & talking points. It can also be helpful to have a pen and paper for your notes.

Different recruiters might have different styles- try to be flexible with the person you are speaking to. During the event, employers will have different professional development conversation topics on their name tag. These conversation starters can help you develop confidence going into the conversation.

Some employers might ask for your resume right away. Others might not. Make sure you have questions or topics to talk about if they want you to ask questions. If you need to practice your elevator pitch, drop by extended Express Drop-In hours the week before showcase.

Career and Community Meet-Up can be a great “first” networking event for you to attend. Since the event is more casual and relaxed, it is okay to practice your networking skills here. Recruiters will expect you to be professional with a firm handshake, good eye contact, and genuineness. Be able to introduce yourself and ask questions about their organization. Most importantly, recruiters are attending this event to meet you and develop connections with UF students!