DES MOINES, Iowa — September 10, 2026 — Walking into a college and career fair can be overwhelming. Dozens of colleges, universities, employers and organizations may be waiting to talk with students—and it's tempting to simply walk from table to table collecting brochures.

With a little preparation, however, a college and career fair can help students answer some important questions about their future.

Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) encourages students attending a fair this fall to approach the experience as an opportunity to explore, ask questions and discover options they may not have previously considered.

“A successful college and career fair isn't about visiting every table in the room,” said Brittania Morey, Vice President Marketing and Communications at ICAN. “It's about leaving with new information, new questions and a better understanding of some of the opportunities available to you.”

ICAN recommends several ways students and families can make the most of the experience.

Do a Little Homework Before You Go

If an exhibitor list is available, look through it before the event.

Identify several organizations you definitely want to visit—but don't stop there. Pick a few colleges, employers or programs you know very little about and add them to your list.

Some of the best discoveries at a fair can be the opportunities students weren't originally planning to explore.

Bring Questions

Students don't need a long list, but having a few questions ready can make conversations easier.

For colleges and training programs, consider asking:

• What programs are you known for?
• What opportunities are available in the careers I'm considering?
• What does a typical first-year student pay?
• What scholarships are available?
• What kind of academic or career support do students receive?
• What should I be doing now to prepare?

When talking with employers or career organizations, students might ask:

• What types of careers are available in your organization or industry?
• What education or training do those careers require?
• Are internships, job shadows or apprenticeships available?
• What skills do you look for when hiring?

Talk to Someone You Weren't Planning to Meet

Students often arrive at a fair with a list of familiar names.

Visit those organizations—but make time for something unexpected.

Talk to a college you've never considered. Ask an employer about a career you've never heard of. Learn about an apprenticeship or training program.

Career and college exploration is partly about discovering options you didn't know existed.

Take Notes

After several conversations, everything can begin to blend together.

Students should jot down a few notes after each important conversation:

What interested me? What didn't? What do I want to learn more about?

Those notes will be much more useful later than a bag full of brochures with no context.

Follow Up

A college and career fair should be the beginning of the research process, not the end.

Visit websites. Schedule campus visits. Research careers. Contact admissions representatives. Ask about job shadows. Talk with your school counselor.

Use what you learned at the fair to decide what you want to explore next.

Put These Tips Into Practice at Golden Circle

Students and families can put these strategies to work at the Golden Circle College & Career Fair on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in Des Moines.

The annual event brings together colleges, universities, career and training opportunities and other organizations to help students explore possibilities for life after high school.

Event Details

Prairie Meadows Conference Center | Altoona, IA
1-3 pm]

“Students don't need to walk into a fair knowing exactly what they want,” Morey said. “Come curious. Ask questions. Explore something new. That's what these events are designed for.”

Learn more about Golden Circle and prepare for the fair at www.ICANsucceed.org/goldencircle.

About ICAN

ICAN is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has locations in Ankeny, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City, which provide programming and advising support to students and their families as they plan for education and training after high school. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org.