The sudden dismantling exactly one year ago of the two-day Career Expo’s exhibition floor, organized by the Wervingsdagen Committee, was the first clear sign that the coronavirus would have a serious impact on TU/e as well. After the event was suspended at the end of day one by order of the Safety Region, the baffled and disappointed members of last year’s board set about dismantling the stands and all other material. Companies had to be informed of the cancellation in great haste. Their presence would no longer be needed the next day.

Current board members Anouchka Morsink (PR) and Sander van Gansewinkel (External relations & digital affairs) would rather look ahead to next Tuesday and Wednesday than look back to the disastrous developments of last year. Morsink: “We weren’t involved in that, of course, it did bring about much uncertainty, but that’s behind us as far as we’re concerned.” The board also managed to overcome the financial consequences, Van Gansewinkel says. “It did have some effect on what we can do this year. Some companies wanted a reimbursement of their incurred expenses, but there were also a large number of companies that didn’t ask for that and that continued to support us. We can’t say too much about it, but we didn’t go bankrupt.”

Proud

It soon became clear that the Career Expo 2021 would have to be held online. The expo, a two-day annual event during which some 180 companies present themselves to TU/e students, is the most eye-catching event of the Wervingsdagen. The program also consists of the annual Skills Session, which already took place digitally three months ago, and the Interviewing Days, which are scheduled to take place between 19 and 23 April.

Morsink and Van Gansewinkel are proud of what they and their fellow board members managed to achieve in eight months. 120 companies have committed to participating in this digital version of the Career Expo. “Sure, we had to be a bit more careful with the budget, and we probably can’t be as exuberant as last year, but we’re very pleased with what we’ve accomplished,” Morsink says. “We also sent more than three hundred goody bags by mail last week, which we normally would have handed out at the entrances of the exhibition floor. A second batch will follow this week.”

Speeddates

Since there was only a limited availability, it is no longer possible to subscribe for the online ten-minute speeddates with representatives from companies. “But anyone who subscribes is welcome to come and take a digital look on the exhibition floor,” Van Gansewinkel says. “You could definitely compare that to the visit you would pay to the Auditorium or Atlas under normal circumstances. Visitors will be guided all day long via a livestream, and you can join all kinds of sessions and company presentations.”

The board of the Wervingsdagen will be present on the campus on 9 and 10 March to ensure that the digital version of the Career Exo runs smoothly. This year’s traditional opening on Tuesday morning will be provided by the Speld.nl. Last year, the board had invited television host and comedian Arjen Lubach to open the Career Expo. The corona virus was only still emerging back then, and his management’s only request was that Lubach wouldn’t be swamped by dozens of students who wanted to take a selfie with him after the Q&A session.