Connecting talent with opportunity: careers weeks and fairs in review

As our graduating students are rightfully celebrating the culmination of their studies, we reflect on another impactful year of careers fairs and events across the University.

Bespoke, high-quality careers fairs and weeks brought together employers and students to showcase the breadth of opportunities and potential pathways available to early career talent.

A combination of smaller workshops, employer-led sessions, and larger careers fairs enabled students and graduates to gain advice and information from a spectrum of disciplines. Autumn term fair events focused on key graduate recruitment sectors, including Law, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), and Banking, Finance and Consulting (BFC). Careers weeks held in the spring term shone a spotlight on alternative graduate routes, such as Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs), the burgeoning sustainability sector, and film, TV and media production with the British Film Institute (BFI).

Positive experiences all-round

The fairs received glowing reviews for their comprehensiveness, networking opportunities and organisation, from students and employers alike.

Many of the participating employers during the careers weeks were also Durham alumni, offering students valuable insights, practical advice, and meaningful connections – with the added understanding and empathy of those who have walked in their shoes.

2024/25 in figures

Over 6,500 students came along to a careers fair, or attended a careers week event across the span of the academic year. 

The autumn term alone saw us welcome almost 4,000 students and over 180 businesses to our sector-specific fairs. And some1,500 further students engaged with other recruitment events.

The SME fair in the spring term introduced 200+ students to regionally-based businesses. Meanwhile, the ‘Explore More’ careers week delivered insightful employer presentations and panel events to over 500 students on industries as diverse as sustainability, publishing, and automotive / F1. The sustainability panels we ran were particularly well attended as students explored employers' green credentials.

As part of our partnership with the BFI, we hosted nine film industry professionals who spoke about their career pathways within this highly competitive sector. Finally, over 400 students signed up to engage in Q&A sessions with experts from areas such as directing, editing and sound engineering, script writing and more, to gain first-hand insights into the exciting world of film, TV, and media production.

Recognising outstanding students

The programme of events culminated in our annual Student Employee of the Year Awards (SEOTY) at the end of April. Student employees were recognised for outstanding contributions, whilst successfully balancing work, study, and personal commitments with skill, passion, and professionalism. The awards also highlighted supportive mentors and employers.

Looking forward to 2025/26

Preparations are already well underway for the next series of fairs and events in the 2025/26 academic year.

Bookings for employers wishing to come to the careers fairs planned for the autumn term are now open – please use the links below to find out more.

The careers weeks and fairs are open to all Durham students irrespective of academic discipline or level of study. We encourage all students to bookmark the dates below and come along.

Programme of events - 2025/26

-----

Find out more

• Employers can find out more about our careers weeks and fairs for next academic year and book on.
• Explore our Careers, Employability and Enterprise pages.
• Discover how our students and graduates push the boundaries in entrepreneurship and innovation around the world.

For our students (log-ins required)

• View the full series of careers weeks and fairs and explore our dedicated Careers and Enterprise Hub.
• Read help sheets and articles on networking, preparing for a careers fair, and how to use the LinkedIn alumni tool.
• Explore further resources on work experience and the placement year.
• Search for vacancies, career events and book career appointments on our CareersConnect platform.