Exeter extends China careers fair portfolio

Held at the prestigious Peace Hotel in Shanghai and the China World Hotel in Beijing, the event attracted the largest employer brands from the world of graduate recruitment including names such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Apple, IBM and Nielsen amongst many others.

The success of the previous year’s event also helped to attract a number of additional large recruiters from the Asia Pacific region which has helped to increase the scope of job opportunities for our returning graduates as well as add to the growing global profile of the University across the world.

Professor Janice Kay, Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, commented “The University of Exeter is committed to ensuring that our graduates have access to employment opportunities within the world’s top industries and employers. The success of the events in Beijing and Shanghai and their success in attracting such prestigious employers continues to illustrate the high regard in which our talented and innovative graduates are held.”

 “Last year was a great success for Exeter in delivering our first ever graduate recruitment fair overseas.” says Paul Blackmore, Head of Student Employability and Academic Success “With the success of both the recent Shanghai and Beijing fairs and with twice the number of graduates and employers attending compared to last year, it is really gratifying to see how this programme is now viewed as a ‘must attend’ fixture in the diaries of major Chinese graduate recruiters.”

Once again, employers attending the event have praised the organisation, the numbers of high-quality graduates attending and the innovative nature of the event.

A senior recruiter from Abercrombie & Fitch (Asia) said: “The GW4 Career Fairs offered a great opportunity for Abercrombie & Fitch to connect with a diverse group of graduates with high quality academic backgrounds, as well as a strong employability profile. We enjoyed a really memorable experience and opportunity to share our career opportunities and interacting with such great candidates. My team appreciated being invited to such successful fairs and are already looking forward to participating next year.”

A Beijing exhibitor added: "Well organised, strong promotion, warm hospitality and fantastic attendance! Outstanding graduates - hope we can continue to work together in the future. We really enjoyed it and thank you so much".

The fairs were delivered as part of the GW4 careers partnership with the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Cardiff.  With the events over-subscribed by both graduates and recruiters, plans are now underway to accommodate even larger numbers of attendees and exhibitors at next year’s event.