Background and Objectives
The University of Toronto (U of T) is a renowned institution, dedicated to driving local and global impact through education, research, and community engagement. As part of this mission, U of T organizes regular career events to help students access professional opportunities and explore career paths. This year’s Actuarial Career Fair was a flagship event focused on connecting aspiring actuarial professionals with leading industry employers.
Due to its emphasis on career-building and professional growth, the fair was a critical event for students exploring the actuarial field. To address the challenges of hosting a large-scale, interactive event in a virtual environment, U of T chose Gatherly, a platform known for its innovative approach to online gatherings, allowing for fluid, life-like interactions and networking.
Event Goals
The goals for the Actuarial Career Fair were clear:
1. Facilitate meaningful connections between students and employers.
2. Create a dynamic and engaging virtual experience that mirrors the in-person networking environment.
3. Support U of T’s mission of fostering inclusive and impactful learning environments, even in virtual settings.
Why Gatherly?
After reviewing several online event platforms, U of T selected Gatherly for its unique approach to online networking. Unlike many virtual platforms that can feel rigid or impersonal, Gatherly was designed to replicate the feel of in-person events. Its features allow attendees to "move" freely between virtual spaces, join conversations spontaneously, and participate in small group discussions—all essential for an event where students need genuine, flexible interactions with employers.
Gatherly’s setup enabled the creation of virtual booths, informal lounge areas, and private meeting rooms, allowing students to seamlessly explore and connect with potential employers. This design made the event feel less like a standard virtual fair and more like a real, walkable event hall, bridging the physical gap in a way that previous platforms had struggled to achieve.
Event Execution
On August 28, 2024, approximately 350 attendees joined the virtual career fair, each logging into Gatherly from different locations. Upon arrival, participants found themselves in a lively virtual lobby, where they could view a map of employer booths, student lounges, and networking zones. The platform’s interface allowed participants to easily navigate between areas, join group conversations, and request private chats, creating a dynamic event experience.
Some highlights of the event structure included:
● Employer Booths: Each company hosted its own virtual booth, staffed with representatives who could interact with students in real-time. Gatherly’s layout allowed students to "drop by" booths, listen in on conversations, and ask questions, giving them an experience similar to an in-person fair.
● Breakout Rooms for Informal Networking: Gatherly provided smaller breakout rooms where students could gather to discuss topics informally, network with other attendees, and get advice from industry professionals. This feature allowed for spontaneous interactions that can often lead to deeper insights and professional connections.
● Scheduled Workshops and Panels: U of T leveraged Gatherly’s interactive rooms for workshops and panel discussions, where attendees could hear directly from professionals in the field, gain insights into the actuarial profession, and ask questions in real-time.
● Private Chats and Interviews: For students who wanted more in-depth conversations, Gatherly’s private chat rooms allowed for 1:1 interactions with company representatives. Many companies took advantage of this feature to conduct preliminary interviews, giving students valuable interview experience and personalized career insights.
Results
The event was a resounding success, achieving all of U of T’s goals and exceeding expectations in several key areas:
1. Enhanced Engagement: Students and employers alike praised the event for its dynamic and life-like atmosphere. Gatherly’s fluid movement options encouraged spontaneous interactions and allowed participants to initiate conversations naturally.
2. High Satisfaction Rates: Feedback surveys indicated a high level of satisfaction among participants, with 92% of students rating the platform as “excellent” or “very good” for networking and engagement. Many students commented that they felt the virtual fair provided more interaction opportunities than traditional formats.
3. Stronger Connections: Many companies noted that they were able to interact more effectively with students in this format. In post-event evaluations, over 85% of employers expressed that Gatherly allowed them to connect more meaningfully with potential hires, largely due to the natural and flexible networking environment.
4. Positive Institutional Impact: The event supported U of T’s broader mission by enhancing students’ access to career development resources and fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment where diverse perspectives and connections could thrive.
Key Takeaways and Impact
The success of the Actuarial Career Fair 2024 highlights the potential of virtual platforms like Gatherly to transform career fairs, especially in fields where personal connections and real-time interactions are critical. U of T’s decision to use Gatherly demonstrated the university's commitment to innovative, inclusive learning environments that adapt to changing needs.
Key Takeaways:
1. Flexibility in Virtual Networking Matters: Platforms that allow for spontaneous, free-form interactions add significant value, making virtual events feel less structured and more engaging.
2. Personalized Interactions Drive Value: Private meeting rooms and the ability to connect in small groups helped both students and employers make the most of their time and form more substantial connections.
3. Platform Choice is Crucial for Event Success: Choosing the right virtual platform can significantly impact attendee satisfaction and engagement. Gatherly’s unique approach to networking helped make this event both effective and enjoyable.
4. Aligning with Institutional Values: By choosing a platform that supports free-flowing, interactive experiences, U of T was able to align the event with its mission of fostering an equitable and impactful learning community.
Conclusion
The University of Toronto’s Actuarial Career Fair 2024 serves as a compelling example of how virtual platforms like Gatherly can elevate the job fair experience. By simulating in-person interactions and fostering meaningful connections, Gatherly helped U of T deliver a transformative event that was both innovative and true to its core mission.
As U of T continues to explore ways to support students’ career development, Gatherly’s success in this event signals an exciting future for virtual engagement, offering a model for other institutions to follow in creating impactful, inclusive online experiences.