Brussels, For students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), job fairs are proving to be more than just networking events—they are fast tracks into the professional world. Alumni from diverse fields share how connections made at these fairs led to internships, student jobs, and full-time positions even before graduation.
Anouk Van Aken, 24, graduated in 2024 with a Master’s in Sociology. Today, she works as a Junior HR Business Partner at Patronale Life. Her journey began at the KEPS x BC Job Fair, where she not only helped organise the event but also established contact with her future employer. “Since September 2024 I have been working there full-time—the step felt very logical and natural,” Van Aken says. Her involvement in student associations provided hands-on experience and skills that directly shaped her professional path.
Dries van de Steen, 27, Master in Computer Science, landed his first role at consultancy Planet Talent after attending Jobday Science in 2022. He credits the fair for helping him find a position that matched his skills and career ambitions. “Even before I officially graduated, I signed my first contract,” he recalls. Van de Steen has since transitioned to Egov Select, a non-profit organisation managing recruitment for the federal government, continuing in his role as a full-stack developer.
For industrial engineer Nils Mens, 23, the Polytechnical Circle’s job fair guided him to Atlas Copco, where he now works as a test engineer in the Oil-Free Air R&D department. “The conversation with the engineer was decisive for me: the subject matter of compressors perfectly matched my interests,” he explains.
Law graduate Phoebe Janssens, 25, found her footing at Nelissen Grade through the Flemish Law Society’s job fairs. “The transition from studying to working required a clear adjustment, but I notice that I learn something every day and continue to grow professionally,” she reflects.
VUB hosts a wide array of job fairs throughout the year, catering to various faculties, from the IR Jobfair in February to the Kine & LO Career Day in December. These events offer students a platform to engage with potential employers, explore career options, and gain practical experience—sometimes even before they officially graduate.
“The combination of student engagement and structured job fairs creates opportunities that extend far beyond a simple handshake,” a university spokesperson notes. For many VUB students, these fairs are not just events—they are launching pads into successful careers.
Source:Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
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