Design & Retail Career Fair - Employer Information
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 1-4pm
Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union
Welcome to the Design & Retail Career Fair
Career & Internship Services, in collaboration with the College of Design, invite you to attend our annual Design & Retail Career Fair focusing on these disciplines:
- Apparel Design
- Graphic Design
- User Experience (UX) Design
- Product Design
- Retail and Consumer Studies (formerly Retail Merchandising)
Knowing that companies hire across many design fields, this is the perfect opportunity to meet and recruit current students and recent alumni for internships and full-time positions from the design programs at the University of Minnesota.
Registration
Early Bird Registration Deadline: January 9, 2025
Registration, Payment & Cancellation Deadline: February 4, 2026
The registration fee includes: a 6-foot x 30" rectangular table with two chairs, parking, and lunch for up to two representatives. If you plan to send more than two representatives the cost is $50 for each additional person. All attending representatives should be registered PRIOR to the day of the Career Fair. Employers are asked to bring their own tablecloth or skirting, and table signage. Floor signage may be used if it is not oversized and will not impact traffic flow.
- Companies over 200 employees: $400
- Companies with 100 – 199 employees: $300
- Companies with 50 – 99 employees: $200
- Entrepreneurs or companies with fewer than 50 employees: $100
- If these prices exceed your budget, please contact Ariana Zarling at [email protected] for accommodation
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship Deadline: December 19, 2025
Gold Level $1,500: Includes registration fee with a 6-foot table in the sponsorship row at the career fair. Your company logo will be displayed on Handshake, event website, employer booklet, posters, reminder emails, and PowerPoint that plays during the event.
The registration fee is for 3 representatives and includes free parking. If you plan to send more than 3 representatives the cost is $50/person.
Maroon Level: $1,000: Includes registration fee with a 6-foot table in the sponsorship row at the career fair. Your company logo will be displayed on Handshake, event website, employer booklet, posters, and PowerPoint that plays during the event.
The registration fee is for 2 representatives and includes free parking. If you plan to send more than 2 representatives the cost is $50/person.
Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 11am-12pm | Employers arrive to Check-in and set up |
| 12-1pm | Lunch for employers, faculty and advisors |
| 1-4pm | Career Fair |
| 4-4:30pm | Employers take down their displays |
Confirmation
- You will receive an email with an invoice and payment instructions.
- Your registration is not confirmed until payment has been received.
- Once payment has been received, you will be emailed information about the career fair schedule, shipping instructions, directions and parking.
Cancellation
- The cancellation deadline is February 2, 2026 and must be done via email to [email protected].
- There will be no refunds after this date and employers who cancel after this date will be invoiced for their entire registration fee.
Ensuring Success at the Career Fair
Students at all stages, from first years, to job ready seniors (and recent graduates), are welcome to attend. We encourage freshman and sophomore students to attend so they can meet you and gain exposure to companies, available positions, and practice their networking skills.
Posting Your Jobs
We strongly encourage you to have active job postings on Handshake before the Career Fair. Link your active job postings to the Career Fair registration. Students frequently look at the positions a company has posted to do research and determine which companies they want to talk to at the fair.
Students attending this Fair will be seeking internships and full-time employment working towards or requiring a bachelor’s degree.
On Campus Interviews
Consider interviewing students on campus.
- To schedule an interview day, click on the 'Request an Interview' tab in Handshake.
- Select ‘Career & Internship Services – CCAPS, CDes, CFANS’ as the hosting office when submitting your on-campus interview schedule in Handshake.
Questions and Point of Contact
Contact Ariana Zarling at [email protected] (preferred) or 612-624-9120.
We look forward to seeing you at the Design & Retail Career Fair and partnering with you for a successful recruiting year!