In this 'Bonus Episode,' Jason (of the 2152 Project) shares with ACTE's National Work-Based Learning conference-goers an overview of a new type of event called a "Reverse Career Fair" and recent updates for the Spring 2025 event. With 240+ attendees in a 180-seat room, this session was packed. Many participants were standing in the back, sitting on the floor, and some were even watching from the hallway! Now, you can enjoy the same content without the crowds!

Session Description:

This presentation will feature a nationally recognized and award-winning renovation to the typical ‘career fair’ design. This re-composition, what I call a 'Reverse Career Fair', is designed to guarantee student-employer engagement. Within this new design as a Social Capital Event, students will naturally have to self-advocate, promote their skills, and interact meaningfully with employers and industry representatives. While leveraged in a Georgia Work-Based Learning Program, the 'Reverse Career Fair' is a natural and dynamic capstone for any CTE Pathway or work experience. All event documents and resources will be made available, but only to verified session attendees--so make this session a priority!

Learning objective:

Session attendees will learn and be better equipped to implement a new and proven model for successful student-employee relationships as well as how to recruit business/industry partners to participate in a ‘Reverse Career Fair.

Learning objective:

Session attendees learn how to teach and prepare students to 'self-advocate' and market their skills in a professional environment, regardless of their CTE pathway/background.

Learning objective:

Session attendees will learn (and receive for free) the curriculum adaptations needed to implement and make the reverse career fair successful.