Durham University Hosts Inaugural Summer Careers Fair

Durham University Hosts Inaugural Summer Careers Fair

On Wednesday 10th June, Durham University’s Careers and Enterprise team hosted its first-ever Summer Careers Fair, designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore a wide range of career pathways and connect directly with employers.

Held in the Teaching and Learning Centre, the event welcomed 310 students from all year groups and a diverse range of academic disciplines. The fair also brought together representatives from 33 organisations spanning multiple sectors, including Nurture Education, iCart Logistics, and The Durham Wardrobe Collective. This diverse presence ensured that students could explore opportunities aligned with their individual interests, skills, and career aspirations.

The Summer Careers Fair created a vibrant and inclusive space for meaningful conversations between students and employers. Attendees had the chance to ask questions, gain insights into different industries, and better understand the variety of pathways available to them—whether they were exploring early ideas, seeking internships, or preparing for graduate roles.

To further enhance students’ employability, the event also offered practical support. An in-house student photographer provided professional LinkedIn headshots, helping students strengthen their online presence and confidently present themselves to potential employers. This initiative proved particularly popular, reinforcing the event’s focus on equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive job market.

Feedback from participating employers highlighted the value of the event in fostering meaningful engagement. One employer reflected:

“The fair brought together a great variety of students from diverse backgrounds and degree programmes to explore and learn about opportunities. Many students were aware of us but had doubts about their eligibility due to their degrees, so it was lovely to dispel those concerns and give them the confidence to apply. I connected with a wide range of students, including PhD researchers working in areas critical to our work, as well as first-year students seeking internships. It was great to have meaningful conversations about our work and sector, alongside the usual application and opportunity questions.”

Another employer noted:

“It was a good experience, and the brand exposure was excellent.”

These reflections underline the importance of creating accessible and engaging spaces where students and employers can connect in a supportive environment. For employers, the fair provided an opportunity to raise awareness of their organisation, identify emerging talent, and contribute to students’ career development. For students, it offered a valuable chance to build confidence, expand their networks, and gain first-hand insights into the world of work.

The success of the inaugural Summer Careers Fair demonstrates Durham University’s ongoing commitment to supporting student employability and strengthening partnerships with employers across sectors. By facilitating these connections, the Careers and Enterprise team continue to play a vital role in preparing students for life after graduation while contributing to regional and national workforce development.

Looking ahead, the team is excited to announce the dates for the Autumn Careers Fairs.

Careers Fairs

· 7 October 2026 (1–4pm): Law Careers Fair https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/careers-employability-enterprise/information-for-employers/careers-weeks/law-careers-week/

· 14 October 2026 (1–4pm): STEM Careers Fair https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/careers-employability-enterprise/information-for-employers/careers-weeks/stem-careers-week/

· 21 October 2026 (1–4pm): Business, Finance and Consulting Careers Fair https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/careers-employability-enterprise/information-for-employers/careers-weeks/business-finance--consulting-careers-week/

If you are interested in hosting a bespoke careers event alongside the Fair - details can be found here. In addition, we offer a range of marketing opportunities to help you promote your brand and opportunities effectively to our student audience.

Find out more

· Explore services for students from our Careers and Enterprise team: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/careers-employability-enterprise/current-students-and-staff/

· Partner with us as a graduate employer: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/careers-employability-enterprise/information-for-employers/

· Discover our global alumni community: https://www.durham.ac.uk/alumni/

For further information, please contact: careers.events@durham.ac.uk