Career Center Launches “Pre-Game” Prep for Spring Fair

For many DSU students, Wednesday, February 4 is one of the most important dates this spring semester. That’s when the Dakota Prairie Playhouse transforms into the Spring Career & Internship Fair, bringing students face-to-face with recruiters who hold the keys to summer internships and post-graduation jobs.

But while the fair is the main event, the real preparation is happening right now.

Walking into a room full of employers is a big step, which is why the DSU Career & Professional Development Center has launched a full slate of events designed to help students feel ready and confident. From free professional wear to one-on-one coaching with industry pros, here is how DSU is helping students get ready for the big day.

One of the first challenges students face is simply finding the right outfit. Professional attire can be expensive, and not everyone has a suit hanging in their dorm closet.

To help with this, the Career Center has opened the DSU Career Closet in the Learning Engagement Center. It’s a simple but vital resource: racks of professional clothing, shoes, and bags that students can take for free. It’s about ensuring every student has access to an outfit that makes them feel professional.

For those looking to build a permanent wardrobe, the university has also partnered with local retailers. Students can snag significant discounts on suits and accessories at JCPenney and Halberstadt’s by showing their student ID, making that first professional outfit a little easier on a college budget.

Once the outfit is sorted, the focus shifts to the resume. It’s often the first thing a recruiter sees, so getting it right is crucial.

A week before the career fair, Career Center hosts “Resume Rave Week,” giving students a chance to get their documents reviewed by the experts. Recruiters from companies like Sanford Health IT, POET, NorthWestern Energy, and KBR come to campus to help students polish and fine-tune their resumes. It’s a rare opportunity to get advice from the exact people who hire for these roles. Instead of guessing what a company is looking for, students can get direct, helpful feedback to make their application stand out. For those who prefer a tech-first approach, the Center is also rolling out workshops on Handshake and Hiration, using AI tools to help students optimize their profiles.

For some majors, preparation means leaving campus entirely. Marketing and design students are gearing up for the “Talent Tour,” a road trip to Sioux Falls to visit creative agencies like Lemonly and Epicosity. It’s a chance to step inside the office, soak up the culture, and network in a setting that feels less like an interview and more like a conversation.

Similarly, the EmBe Career Workshop is offering a tailored experience for young women entering the workforce, combining mock interviews with styling advice to tackle specific professional goals.

The Career Center emphasizes that the fair isn’t the finish line—it’s just the start. Even after the fair wraps up, events like “Practice With The Pro” will allow students to sit down for mock interviews with actual executives, offering a low-stakes environment to practice their pitch.

With the fair fast approaching, the resources are there to help every student put their best foot forward.