UA Wildcat Student Employment & Research Fair Aug 26: Part-Time, Local, and On-Campus Jobs

Published: July 19, 2026 | By TucsonHIRED Team

TUCSON, AZ — The fall semester is barely a week old when one of the easiest job-hunting opportunities on campus rolls around. The University of Arizona hosts its 2026 Wildcat Student Employment & Research Fair on Wednesday, August 26 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Bear Down Building, and it's built specifically for students looking for part-time, local, and on-campus jobs.

One afternoon, dozens of hiring departments and local employers, zero cost to attend.

📍 Event at a Glance

What This Fair Is All About

Unlike the big Fall Career Days fairs in September and October, which target internships and full-time career launches, this one is about right-now work. The UA Center for Career Readiness stages it at the start of every fall semester so students can lock down a paycheck before class schedules and study loads fill in. Expect on-campus departments recruiting student workers, local Tucson employers hiring part-timers, and faculty and labs looking to fill research positions.

The location helps too. The Bear Down Building sits in the heart of campus just off the Mall, an easy walk between classes. Come as you are between 12 and 3, though a clean resume and a decent shirt never hurt anybody's chances.

Who Should Go

The fair is aimed at UA students and recent alumni. If that's you, this is one of the fastest ways to line up work that fits around a class schedule. First-years hunting a campus job, upperclassmen looking for lab or research experience that builds a grad school application, and recent grads bridging to their next move all fit the room.

How to Prepare

Register ahead of time through Handshake, the UA's career platform, so you can see which employers are attending and plan who to talk to first. Print 10–15 copies of your resume, and keep a 30-second intro ready: who you are, what you're studying, what hours you can work. Questions? The Center for Career Readiness is at (520) 621-2588.

What It Means for Job Seekers

Campus fairs like this one are also a signal that Tucson's part-time hiring season is heating up. Every August, employers near campus staff up for the student wave, from University Boulevard retail to midtown restaurants. Roles that typically fill fast this time of year:

• Part-time jobs across Tucson
• Student-friendly openings
• University of Arizona jobs
• Retail associates — see our Retail Careers guide
• Restaurant and food service roles — see our Food Service Careers guide
• Customer service reps — see our Customer Service Careers guide

Speaking of University Boulevard: Rally House just opened its first Tucson store at Main Gate Square steps from campus. Read our coverage of Rally House's Main Gate Square opening if game-day retail sounds like your kind of part-time gig.

🔎 Can't Make It? Search Anytime

New Tucson jobs post daily on TucsonHIRED. Create a free account to set up job alerts so part-time and student-friendly openings land in your inbox the moment they go live.

Employers: hiring students or part-timers this fall? Post your jobs on TucsonHIRED and reach local candidates before the semester rush.

Is the Wildcat Student Employment & Research Fair free?

Yes. The fair is free for attendees. It runs 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at the Bear Down Building on the UA campus.

Do I need to register in advance?

Registration through Handshake is encouraged so you can preview attending employers, but bring resumes either way.

What kinds of jobs will be at the fair?

Part-time, local, and on-campus positions, plus research roles with UA labs and faculty. It's separate from the Fall Career Days fairs, which focus on internships and full-time hiring.

Who can attend?

The fair is geared toward University of Arizona students and recent alumni.

From Bear Down to your first day on the job: another semester, another wave of Tucson hiring. TucsonHIRED will be watching it all.