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Many of 91����’s career fairs are large multi-day events, hosting hundreds of employers and capping the number of students in attendance each day. On a Friday in April, there was a smaller version of a career fair, hosted in the Johnson Center Bistro, for participants in the  and the . Both fee-based programs are offered through for degree-seeking students. 

The MASI/EFP Career Fair is intentionally small—no more than 15 employers, said EFP’s Assistant Director Sharon Toda, who started the event. It is designed to create a more accessible, lower-pressure environment for neurodivergent students who may encounter barriers (e.g., social interaction, new environments) when accessing traditional career fairs.  

Prior to the event, students participated in a career readiness workshop conducted in partnership with . The workshop helped students build confidence, prepare questions, and develop strategies for navigating and communicating with employers during the fair.

What started as a small project collaborating with local employers who had neurodiversity programs has evolved into a larger event. The MASI/EFP Career Fair now brings various partner organizations to campus, enhancing student engagement and networking opportunities. Prominent organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, United States Geological Survey (USGS), and Fairfax County government are among the participants.

At the spring 2026 career fair, for the first time, participating students were provided with the opportunity to have headshots taken for professional purposes. Additionally, Fairfax County’s Community Services Board and Supported Employment program, which assists county residents with disabilities, participated by offering information and resources on health and wellness. They also provided support in accessing resources to navigate employment opportunities and job coaching support. 

This year 10 employers participated either in-person or virtually.  One employer that has been involved from the beginning is . Elizabeth A. Foster, Melwood’s director of career exploration and development, said this event is a perfect fit for the organization. “My big thing is to try to get people who are neurodivergent, jobs or training or whatever supports they need to be successful,” said Foster. “I love that I have seen amazing growth [at George Mason]. I just saw a fantastic resume. It's the kind of resume that I would expect from somebody who's been out in the field for years.”

The USGS had a table to promote its work transition program, Secondary Transition to Employment Program (STEP-UP). “What we do is we find their skill sets and their passions, and we figure out how they fit into the USGS,” said geologist Mercer Parker. “I tell students: Whether you are a creative designer, an economist, or a musician, there's a place for you in the federal government.”

Christann Chanell, a visitor experience coordinator at the National Postal Museum who is  neurodivergent herself, said participating in the career fair is a way for her to give back to this community. “It's a way to let people know that companies and organizations are aware and will support their journey and their career. For me, that’s the main inspiration.”

Her colleague MaryBeth Wagner, adult programs manager for the National Postal Museum, concurs. “The Smithsonian Institution is very passionate about accessibility,” said Wagner. “We have staff members who need a little bit more support in their roles and letting more students know that these opportunities are available is very rewarding.”

This was the second MASI/EFP career fair that computer game design major Danish Parvez has attended. Parvez has been involved in MASI since his sophomore year. He came with a list of questions he planned to ask the employers, such as, “What makes someone a good candidate for a job with their company?” He also said he practiced how to present himself and his experience—these skills have already served him well when looking for a summer job.  

“MASI’s really helped me navigate [the university environment],” Parvez said. “It's given me more skills to adapt. I feel like I was a bit lost my first year. I've come a long way since then.” 

According to Toda, the career fair is one of the initiatives that MASI/EFP aims to support and prepare students for post-graduation and their transitions into the workforce. The goal in creating a smaller scaled career fair is to provide students in the programs with a platform to build confidence and practice in networking and expand their understanding of various career opportunities.