NC State ASCEND Career Fair (Fall 2026)
Meet NC State's Engineering Career Fair employers two days early, in a room with no lines.
2610 Cates Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606
What this event is
ASCEND is an informal networking night that precedes NC State's Fall 2026 Engineering Career Fair. Companies registered for the main fair set up tables in the Talley State Ballroom to meet engineering students in a relaxed setting. It runs 5:00 to 7:30 PM on Monday, September 28.
Roles you will actually see
Who should go
NC State engineering and CS students who want a warm intro before the big fair.
This is the cheat code for the main fair: recruiters remember faces from Monday night when you walk up Wednesday. Ask which roles they are actually filling this cycle, not what is on the poster. Most fair employers here are a mix of defense, utilities and tech, so ask about visa sponsorship directly if you need it. Wear something you can wear again on Wednesday so they recognize you.
Show up prepared
- 1Pull the Career Fair Plus employer list and pick 8 targets that hire software roles
- 2Print 15 resumes and write a 20-second intro tied to one project
- 3Note the recruiter name at each table so you can name-drop it at Wednesday's fair
Sponsorship reality
Sponsorship varies by employer. No organizer publishes sponsorship. Check each employer you plan to meet against H-1B disclosure data before you go, and ask in the first two minutes so neither side wastes the conversation.
Showing up is half of it.
The other half is being first to the roles these employers post, and having something real to show when you get there.
See roles the minute they go live, tailor one resume per employer, and reach the hiring manager directly. Walk into the event as a follow-up, not a stranger.
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