The Expect! Careers fair at Ostfalia University brings students and other job seekers together with companies every year - at eye level. Over 45 companies presented themselves on Friday, 17 April, in the exhibition tent on the Am Exer campus in Wolfenbüttel. But what characterises the fair is not just the stands and job offers, but above all the discussions.
For many students, Expect! (external link, opens in a new window) is a moment to determine where they stand. Nico Formanowicz, Master's student in Transport and Logistics (external link, opens in a new window), is about to graduate. For him, this year's fair is above all a door opener: "I'm due to graduate in three months' time. It makes sense to get to know the companies in the region and simply go for a chat." He describes the job search as challenging: "Everything is still manageable during your studies, but finding a job is more difficult. You have to be flexible and look closely at where there are jobs."
Khalil Fertout, Master's student in Strategic Management (external link, opens in a new window), has a similar view. For him, the fair is also a place of reassurance: "Looking for a job puts pressure on you. But here I realise that there are lots of opportunities and I can simply talk to people." He finds the interviews relieving: "I was nervous at first, but the companies are very open. That gives me confidence."
The picture is also positive for Anouk von der Osten-Fabeck and Jeanette Bara, both studying Business Law (external link, opens in a new window) in their second semester. Above all, they are looking for guidance for internships and future careers. They were particularly surprised by the openness of the companies: "Online, it often seems as if there are hardly any suitable positions. But here you realise that much more is possible," says Anouk. Jeanette adds: "You get a much better feel for what companies are really looking for."
Companies caught between the search for skilled labour and changing expectations
The companies also use Expect! very consciously. They have clear expectations of the talks. Christoph Alexander Schmidt from Goldbeck Technical Solutions in Bielefeld emphasises that the trade fair is particularly interesting because of the matching disciplines: "There are many students here whose profiles we can make good use of - especially in the IT sector." At the same time, he is observing a change: "Many are now asking very specifically about working from home and development opportunities."
The VA planning group from Hanover also sees the trade fair as a targeted recruiting platform. Recruiter Larissa Scheuch emphasises the quality of the format: "Expect! is more personal than many large trade fairs. You notice that the students really approach companies in a targeted manner." For her, the most important thing is whether there is genuine interest: "You realise very quickly whether someone is really interested in the topic or just using empty phrases."
Jürgen Heile, master refrigeration engineer and deputy director of the Norddeutsche Kälte-Fachschule in Springe, which is taking part in Expect! for the first time. For him, the focus is on the search for graduates: "Today, we are specifically looking for someone to join us as a graduate of the supply engineering programme in order to train master craftsmen and introduce trainees to refrigeration."
Premiere at Expect! also for Amazon Logistik. Goekmen Resneli, division manager in Lengede and a graduate of the Logistics and Information Management (external link, opens in a new window) degree programme, explains that the company's presence at the trade fair was a strategic choice: "We want to show what we do in the region, because many students don't even know us as an employer here." He is particularly positive about the discussions: "The students are very active and interested. That surprised us."
The Ostfalia Career Service (external link, opens in a new window), which organises Expect! (external link, opens in a new window), sees the fair as a deliberately designed meeting place that benefits both students and companies.
Julia Hussendörfer: "For students, the fair offers the opportunity to make contact with potential employers at an early stage, gain insights into various sectors and discover specific career prospects. Companies, in turn, benefit from talking to highly motivated young talent and presenting themselves as attractive employers."
Accordingly, the fair is consistently geared towards the needs of both sides. "For students, the fair should be clearly organised, offer a wide range of companies and create real added value through additional offers," explains Hussendörfer. At the same time, great importance is attached to professional organisation, transparent communication and close coordination on the company side so that everyone can prepare optimally. On site, a well thought-out concept with clear structures, a supporting programme and many opportunities for exchange brings both sides together.
