Bristol Community College holds a free college and career fair in Fall River on Nov. 2

FALL RIVER Job seekers and students thinking about a transfer can meet representatives of more than 50 four-year colleges and at least 10 local employers at Bristol Community College's College & Career Fair on Nov. 2. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the college's Fall River campus. "This event is free and all are invited," the college said in its Oct. 16 announcement.

Where and when

The fair is in the Commonwealth College Center, which the college also calls the G building, at 777 Elsbree St. The announcement lists no sign-up step and no fee. It asks people with questions to email Career Services at CareerServices@BristolCC.edu, and the office's web page gives its phone number as 774-357-2959.

Who will be there

College representatives will talk about transfer, admissions and academic programs, the announcement says, while employers share information about internships, open jobs and career paths. The college does not name the colleges coming. It lists 10 employers that will take part: BayCoast Bank, the college's own Human Resources office, the Bristol County Sheriff's Office, Fall River Public Schools, Family Service Association, Key Program Inc., Positive Behavior Supports Corp., Southcoast Health, SSTAR and Memorial Medical Center.

Visitors can also have a free headshot taken for a LinkedIn profile, according to the college.

"Whether attendees are preparing to transfer to a four-year institution, enter the workforce, or pursue both goals, Bristol Community College's College & Career Fair offers an opportunity to build important connections and discover valuable resources," Stefanie Deprey, the college's director of transfer and career services, said in the announcement.

Help before the fair

Current Bristol students and alumni can book time with the college's two career coordinators, Jeffrey Craig and Elizabeth McCarthy, for help with resumes, interview practice and job fair preparation, the Career Services pages say. The office lists individual counseling in person and online, resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews and a jobs board among its services.

Students who need something to wear can use the Career Readiness Clothing Closet, which the college started in 2024 to give students professional clothes to keep at no cost. It is in the Women's Center. The closet's page says it is at capacity for donations right now and asks people to schedule an appointment to see it or check back for word on when it can take more clothes.

Getting there

The Fall River campus has 12 parking lots with more than 1,800 spaces, first come, first served, the college's directions page says. Riders coming from New Bedford can take an express trip on SRTA's Route 9 Intercity, which makes no stops and takes about 25 minutes from the New Bedford terminal to the Fall River terminal on Fourth Street, then transfer to SRTA Route 108 for the ride to campus. On weekdays the express trips leave New Bedford every hour at 15 minutes past, starting at 6:15 a.m., and from 7:35 a.m. Route 108 leaves the Fall River terminal at 5 and 35 minutes past the hour for a 13-minute ride to the college, according to SRTA's fall timetables, in effect since Aug. 30.

For people weighing college

Bristol holds an open house at the same campus on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with campus tours and help with admissions and financial aid applications, the college announced Sept. 17. It asks visitors to register at bristolcc.edu/openhouse.

Massachusetts residents who have not earned a bachelor's degree and meet the state's residency rules can attend Bristol without paying tuition and fees under the state's free community college program, according to the college. Students need to file the federal FAFSA, or the MASFA if they qualify under the Massachusetts tuition equity law, and take at least six credits a semester. Bristol also reports more than 80 transfer agreements with four-year schools.

Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.