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Master Student at Career Events

Master Career Events

Your Playbook for Master Events

You’re closer to the working world than ever — and Sefa’s Master events are built precisely for this moment. From the Kick-off Days in January to the Career Day in May, here’s how to make each one count.

As a master’s student, companies are actively recruiting you for real roles – but the competition is at its sharpest. The Master Career Kick-off Days, Master Career Day, and the Master Career Club (MCC) events give you targeted access to companies looking specifically for graduates.

Here is the guide for the Master Career Day

1Sefa’s Master Events at a Glance

Event 1 · January

Master Career Kick-off Days

3-day on-campus event · late January · exclusively for Master’s students

Mix of formal and informal activities with big corporations and ambitious start-ups. Easier access to recruiters than at bigger events — fewer students per recruiter.

AudienceMaster’s students only
FormatPresentations · cases · drinks
Best forSetting your direction for the year
What to expect
  • Opening and closing drinks where companies are present from the start
  • Presentations from corporates and startups paired so you can compare paths
  • Case studies that are smaller and more intimate than at Career Week
  • Direct access to recruiters in a lower-competition setting

Event 2 · May

Master Career Day

Single-day event in mid-May · Master’s students & recent graduates

A full day packed with career opportunities. Designed for students closer to graduation and looking for immediate hiring conversations.

FormatSpeed interviews · career fair
LocationOn-campus, De Brug
Best forSealing offers before summer
What to expect
  • Master Career Fair at De Brug, 14:00–17:00 — open to everyone without signup
  • Some informal events depending on the year

Companies: Amoria Bond, ING, EIB, De Jong & Laan, Magnet.me, Beirsdorf, and Magnet.me (they will be taking professional pictures)

Here is the Career Fair Guide. Read this before attending! Master Career Fair 2026 Guide (1)

Sign up here: Master Career Fair

Event 3 · March

London Study trip

Social trip and visiting companies in London · EB Master’s students

Study trip to London to help students explore options outside of the Netherlands, network, and enjoy their final year of studying.

What to expect
  • 30 students travelling to London for 5 days to visit companies
  • In 2026, the companies were the EBRD and BlackRock.
  • Social nights out, group dinners, fun activities such as a football match and museum visits.
  • Excellent pathway to in-house visits and networking with peers.

2Which Events to Prioritise?

Early in your master’s (first semester)
  • Priority: Master Career Kick-off Days
  • Use it to orient — not to apply yet
  • Build relationships with 3–4 target companies
  • Attend an MCC event in spring to test fit deeper
Final semester
  • Priority: Master Career Day + ACD (March)
  • You’re in real hiring conversations now — treat every event like an interview
  • Speed Interviews are your friend — apply early
  • Bring a sharpened CV and a clear ask

3How Master Prep Differs from Bachelor Prep

Your CV does more work

By master’s, recruiters expect a clear functional direction, demonstrable internships, leadership of something, and a thesis topic that signals depth. The “exploring everything” framing won’t fly.

Recruiters expect specific asks

“Tell me about your company” sounds bachelor. “I’ve read about your M&A advisory practice in tech — what does a typical first 18 months look like there?” sounds master.

You need a thesis pitch

Recruiters will ask. Have a 30-second version ready: the question you’re answering, why it matters, your method, and your preliminary view.

The cycle starts earlier than you think

Most graduate-scheme deadlines hit October–January for September starts. By the May Career Day, you may already be in late-stage processes. Plan backwards from the offer.

4A Realistic Master’s Career Calendar

September – October

Lock in your thesis topic. Update your CV and LinkedIn. Identify 8–10 target companies. Start applying to autumn-round graduate schemes (many close before December).

November – December

Attend Sefa Career Week (1–5 December) for breadth. Begin MCC engagement. Send applications for spring-start internships.

January

Master Career Kick-off Days (late January). Polish your interview skills. Final wave of graduate-scheme applications.

February – March

ACD (early March). By now you should be in active interview cycles for September starts. CVs need to be at their sharpest.

April – May

Master Career Day (mid-May). Final push for any roles still open. If you don’t have an offer yet, this is your high-value last chance before summer.

June – August

Thesis defence, contract signing, transition planning. If you haven’t found a role, this is when you start the second recruitment cycle — most companies have a smaller summer wave.

🎯

The master’s mindset: The bachelor mindset is “I want to understand my options.” The master’s mindset is “I’m choosing my first chapter.” Walk into every Sefa master event with that level of intent and recruiters will respond differently.