On April 28th, Hauppauge High School presented an opportunity for students and their families to interact and talk with representatives from over 130 colleges. The “WSCA College and Career Fair” hosted at Hauppauge High School was a free event that aimed to give students a chance to see many different colleges in one setting, as well as showcase careers that are available after high school. Regardless of grade level, the fair presented a unique opportunity for students to explore this wide range of colleges and careers and have face-to-face conversations with representatives in a controlled and easy manner. The fair itself was an open event, and students from all different schools across Suffolk County were in attendance.

With over 130 colleges and universities represented across 19 states, students had plenty of options to choose from. Schools represented included “big name” universities, smaller colleges, city schools, religious schools, etc. –truly something for everyone. Some notable colleges present included: 

• The University of Alabama
• Sacred Heart University
• University of Delaware
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Hofstra University
• SUNY Schools
• Penn State University
• Coastal Carolina University

Colleges offered information regarding scholarships, aid, housing, sports, majors available, as well as extracurricular and Greek life. When students registered for the fair, they were given a personal QR code that representatives could scan. This code shared the student’s name, email, address, as well as some academic interests and information with the representative who scanned it. Colleges could, in turn, put students on a mailing or email list. Packets and pamphlets were also handed out with some of this information, as well as fun freebies like stickers and pens. Additionally, representatives from the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy were in attendance, showcasing the career aspect of the fair. 

So why are college and career fairs important for high schoolers? The truth is, this answer differs for everyone. For underclassmen, college fairs can be “a great way to begin your college search and get ahead of the game,” according to one representative. Some student responses to this question included that the fairs are “good exposure,” “very informative,” and “eye-opening to see how many options I really have– even if it’s not the conventional college path.”