Chester Zikhali, MSF’23 researching events to share with students
CSE Career Captain and serial career-event attendee, Chester Zikhali, MSF’23, provides insight into the importance of attending events – especially if they involve alumni and/or an employer.
Position yourself for success through the Alumni Speaker Series, Company Info Sessions, and more…
The Career Strategies and Engagement Center hosts a variety of weekly events for Brandeis International Business School students, and here are some benefits of participating:
– Chester
Employer Info Sessions and Alumni Events
On-campus, virtual and on-site events enable students to network with Brandeis alumni and professionals, while also learning more about different companies and career paths. They also present an opportunity to learn more about how various alumni decided on a chosen career path, and the tools and skills required to succeed in that industry.
Why should I go?
Attending an information session will allow you to:
- Assess the company and its culture
- Gain insight into various career paths
- Learn about available positions and qualities they look for in candidates
- Connect with Brandeis alumni and business professionals
It is also a great opportunity for you to make a personal connection within a company or people who might interview you in the future and you can remind them of your interactions at the event that inspired you to apply for the role.
For instance, I was asked in an interview with a top consulting firm if I had attended any on-campus events by the firm at Brandeis and what stood out to me about the firm. I went on to describe my experience and mentioned people that I met during the event, which helped me move forward in the interview process.
Does attending events show interest in a particular career/role?
Attending an info session or Alumni Speaker Series event also shows that you have a strong interest in that company or career, and is a chance to gain additional information that you might not get before the interview.
Does attending events help prepare you for interviews?
On-campus events (Alumni talks, workshops, info sessions) give significantly more insight and are unofficially considered a requirement for interviews. Many representatives also hold interview spots for those who attend, so attending can be a quick and easy way to get past the hiring process’s first step. By completing a quick survey and uploading my résumé at the end of the event, I was able to land an interview with a reputable consulting business.
Lastly, attending events provide talking points during your interview. You can discuss what motivates you to pursue a specific career and why you’re interested in working at a firm by describing what resonated with you from the topics discussed and the speakers present at the event. Good examples of things to discuss could be that the firm’s culture is a good fit for you because …….., or you got to learn more about the role in detail and you like it because of 1, 2 & 3 reasons, and the responsibility they give to junior staff, etc……
Should I follow up?
Yes yes yes! If you make a good impression and participate in more networking events (e.g. Career Fairs, Networking Receptions), company representatives will remember you. For follow-up, it’s crucial to gather business cards or contact information. It’s always polite to send a quick email or LinkedIn message to thank them for their time and to express how much you appreciated the information session. Make sure to mention a specific lesson you took away from the discussion or the session. It can be appropriate to ask for an informational interview if you felt particularly drawn to someone at the event and would like to chat with them more.
