Virtual Career Fairs Connect Students to Employers Nationwide

In a 2025 Student Voice Survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab, 38 percent of students said they want their college to prioritize helping them find or access paid internships; an additional 30 percent of respondents want colleges to facilitate stronger connections with potential employers.

Colleges and universities often host career fairs, inviting local or college-affiliated employers to meet soon-to-be interns and graduates. Now some campuses are extending the invitation to employers located miles away, encouraging them to participate in virtual events.

The digital opportunities also provide more accessible formats for students to engage in career exploration.

Going virtual: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more graduates have expressed interest in remote and hybrid work opportunities. A 2024 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey found that about half of graduates (51 percent) want to work exclusively in person, while 43 percent prefer a hybrid working environment. While the surge in fully remote work has declined since the pandemic, many employers continue to employ online recruiting resources to identify talent.

Some college students may also be interested in leaving their college town for a new opportunity. A 2025 Handshake survey found that 73 percent of graduates ranked getting a job in a desired location as a top priority, and 69 percent want to work near their family. Just over half of students want to find a job in their hometown (58 percent).

Virtual events can remove barriers to access for students who may not otherwise be able to participate in campus events. Inside Higher Ed’s survey found that 30 percent of students have never interacted with their campus career center; older students, two-year students and working students were most likely to say they haven’t used career services.

Rasmussen University partnered with the American Public University System to host a nationwide virtual career fair last month, offering students the chance to engage with 40 public and private employers across the country in industries including health care, technology, business and government.

For students interested in working in national research labs or government agencies, Oregon State University coordinated a virtual career fair to bring opportunities to students via Handshake.

Bellevue University in Nebraska also hosts virtual career fairs on Handshake, which allows students to sign up to meet with the employers during a specific time slot for a group or one-on-one session. In group settings, employers showcase internship and job opportunities and solicit questions from attendees. In a one-on-one session, students can talk directly to a recruiter over video chat.

Pacific University’s School of Pharmacy offered in-person and online options for its career and experiential learning fair, allowing participants to choose the model and time that best fit their schedule.

While virtual events may be more accessible, ensuring students are adequately prepared can make the experience more impactful for both the job seeker and the recruiter. The University of Colorado, Boulder, offers a prep session for students to learn how to navigate Handshake, engage with employers and present themselves professionally, even over video call.

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