Careers Fairs & Festivals: Overview

Cambridge University Careers Fairs are your opportunity to meet a wide range of employers across several sectors.  Cambridge students, Postdocs & alum are very welcome to attend. Details of our Autumn 2025 events coming soon.

Dates for 2025/2026 Festivals will be released soon

I'm a Researcher, what next? | (Live events concluded, resources available in link)

A series of events for PhDs and Postdocs to support you to explore what you want from your next career step.

Finalist Focus | (Live events concluded, resources available in link)

A programme of activities to help you prepare for what comes after your course. Includes the Graduate Jobs Fair.

Creative Careers Festival | (Live events concluded, resources available in link)

Panel events, insights and resources - an overview of the roles and routes available in publishing, performing arts, production, gaming, museums, media and more.

Tech Careers Festival | (Live events concluded, resources available in link)

Highlights include a Careers in Tech Networking Panel and networking events.

Policy, Charity & International Development Festival | (Live events concluded, resources available in link)

Speed networking, a series of panel discussions with representatives working in the sector and other resources to help you move on in the sector. 

Green Careers Festival |(Live events concluded, resources available in link)

Led by our flagship Green Careers Fair, this festival helps you discover career paths and opportunities in sustainability and environment-related organisations. Organised in collaboration with Cambridge Zero.

Life Sciences Careers Week | (Live events concluded, resources available in link)

The lab, industrial research, finance, policy, consulting... how to navigate the options? Gain ideas and inspiration through panel and networking events, video content and resources.

Focus on Fellowships | (Live events concluded, resources available in link)

Ever wondered if a fellowship might be right for you? 

Navigating the academic job market | (Live events concluded, resources available in link)

Events for PhDs and Postdocs to support you to explore next steps in academia.  The programme includes keynote discussions, workshops and panel events.

Career Essentials

A package of on-demand resources and interactive workshops throughout the year for those who are just getting started with thinking about their next steps, through to making applications for jobs and postgraduate study and navigating recruitment processes. Search 'Career Essentials in Handshake events for upcoming events. 

Career Essentials for PhDs and Postdocs

A package of resources and workshops designed to meet the core career needs of early career researchers.

Skills Sessions

Led by employers from a diverse range of sectors, helping you develop your workplace skills for. The programme includes interactive case study workshops, assessment centre simulations, group discussions and insight sessions with Q&A that focus on your development.  

Q&A Panel discussions 

Hear from and network with alumni and experts in their field. Hear tips on how they got in and what the work involves. Includes the Policy panel, Scientific, Innovation & Technical Consulting event and Neurodiversity panel.

Employer recruitment and networking events

An opportunity for informal discussion with groups of employers from a specific sector.

Employer Presentations

Ask your questions about recruitment and learn about an organisation's culture. 

Employer 1:1 sessions

Informal 1:1 chats to ask questions to an employer representative about their organisation, sector or recruitment process, CV and application advice.

Plus dozens of one-off events covering a huge range of careers topics. Find out more and book on the Events page on Handshake.  New events are added regularly.

How to make the most of a careers fair 

• Watch our YouTube Playlist: Making the Most of Careers Fairs
• Read our Careers Fair Blog
• Do your research
• Complete your Handshake profile and update your CV. Follow employers on Handshake to get notifications when key activities occur
• View company profiles on Handshake to find out what roles they are advertising and events they are running for Cambridge students and graduates
• View company recruitment websites, social platforms
• Research news and articles
• Ask questions
• Dress appropriately and if joining a virtual event, consider your background
• Take notes - they might be useful in future applications
• For in-person fairs, if you would benefit from talking to an employer in a quieter environment you can ask to see them in a 'quiet room' next to the main fair
• Follow up after events
• Follow speakers on LinkedIn

​​​​​​​Top Tips

• Search job postings on Handshake and save your searches, so relevant vacancies arrive in your inbox all year round - not just from firms at the event.
• Select your industry interests on Handshake to receive targeted emails from employers regarding their events and vacancies.
• Sign up to receive our newsletters