At a career fair in reverse, Brandcenter students push their creativity forward

By Anastasia Mineiro

Libby Browder has never particularly liked traditional career fairs.

“They tend to feel awkward and unnatural,” said Browder, a creative brand management student at the Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter. “At a standard career fair, you go up and ask questions about the company or potential roles that 100 other students may be asking. This isn’t as conducive to sparking a personal connection or leaving an impression.”

Luckily for Browder, who graduates this spring, the Brandcenter – home to acclaimed master’s programs in advertising, design and brand strategy – is anything but traditional.

For more than 20 years, the Brandcenter career fair has been like “opposite day”: It’s the recruiters who come up to the graduating students’ tables. This year’s two-day session in late April featured 95 graduating students and about 100 recruiters per session.

And what better way for Class of 2026 members to leave an impression than through takeaway goodies. Maddie Green, an art direction student, had a plastic lizard attached to each of her business cards to show her love of reptiles. Monse Munoz, another art direction student, provided business cards in the form of matchboxes. Kayliah Kendrix, a copywriting student, handed out friendship bracelets that spelled her website.

Lucas Gaitán, a brand strategy student, said such creativity highlights how the reverse career fair allows Brandcenter students to stand out.

“If I was working at your agency, how would I be using my space if you were sharing a desk with me?” he said. “I think what sets me apart is what sets everyone else apart. This is me. And I’m not her, I’m not him, I’m not them. It’s just our own thing.”

Every student’s table was designed with their personal brand in mind. Gaitán decorated his with crystal bookends from his desk at home. Green, fittingly, made her last name the primary color on her table. Browder’s table was by a ledge, which gave her an extra area to showcase the props and projects she has made at Brandcenter.

The reverse career fair is more than a chance for students to authentically showcase themselves. It also helps them practice navigating a competitive job market.

“You get out of your comfort zone, which I think is the most important thing when looking for a job,” Kendrix said. “You’re not guaranteed a lot. So, it’s good to know that you at least put yourself out there. I’m going around to people and saying, ‘Hey, come talk to me!’”

The event also served as final milestone before Brandcenter’s Class of 2026 graduates this spring.

“What brought me into advertising is because I didn’t feel like I necessarily fit anywhere else,” Gaitán said. “And if there’s a student at VCU or a group of students at VCU that kind of feel like that, and feel like there’s something more creative that they want to be doing, I would encourage them to look into Brandcenter.”

To see VCU Brandcenter’s Class of 2026 and their work, visit the portfolio page.