UPM Career Fair 2026
Career Fair organized by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with students from IIT, UChicago and Berkeley.
April 7th 2026
Location: Herman Hall, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago
alumni.usa@upm.es
+1 (857) 207-7315
A unique career fair providing access to a curated pool of selected engineering and technology students holding work authorization with a USA master and European MSc across multiple disciplines:
Computer Science, AI & Computer Vision / Mech. & Aero Engineering / Industrial Tech & Ops / IT & Management / Finance / Management Analytics / Civil & Architecture / Electrical / Communications / Math & Analytics / Robotics / Project & Energy
How does it work?
Define Your Needs
Upon registration, you will provide specific job descriptions, key skills, and qualifications for your open roles
Curated Matching
Our team reviews student profiles against your criteria to create a tailored pool of qualified candidates.
Review & Shortlist
Receive your curated list of qualified candidates. Simply review their resumes and select the individuals you wish to interview.
Interview Day
Join us on April 7, 2026. Arrive ready to interview your pre-selected candidates and assess their fit.
Hiring Decisions
Decide whether to move forward with the recruitment process and extend offers to your new hires.
Tentative Structure
| 8:00 AM | Companies’ check-in* |
| 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Morning interviews** |
| 12:00 PM – 13:30 PM | Lunch*** + Welcome speech |
| 13:30 PM – 16:30 PM | Afternoon interviews** |
| 16:00 PM – 17:45 PM | Networking event |
* Coffee available during the morning
** 30min slots
*** Lunch boxes will be provided to take to welcome and keynote speeches
Registration Packages
Select the tier that fits your hiring needs.
All registration packages include the Core Benefits
Deadline: Registration Closes on Friday 20th March
General
Returning
Sponsorship
Core Benefits
Access a curated pool of 90+ candidates with work authorization; we pre-screen and surface top matches for your roles.
Dedicated interview area with tables and signage; on-site support handles setup so your team focuses on interviewing.
Lunch provided for company teams and students (details TBA). Post-event networking to meet additional candidates and partners.
Practical guidance on OPT/CPT timelines, documentation, and degree equivalency. Includes live Q&A and follow-up support.
Venue
The 2026 UPM Career Fair will take place at Herman Hall, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.
Accommodation
Accommodation details and booking links for the 2026 event will be provided soon. If you plan to reserve rooms, please check back for updated links and corporate codes.
Hilton Garden Inn
123 East Cermak, Suite 300
Chicago IL 60616
312.791.1121
Hampton Inn
123 East Cermak, Suite 100
Chicago IL 60616
312.791.1121
Home2 Suites
123 East Cermak, Suite 200
Chicago IL 60616
312.791.1121
Otherwise, if you prefer to make a room reservation with one of the following hotels, please let us know before in order to check if you can get a discount.
HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON DOWNTOWN CHICAGO
40 E Grand Avenue
Chicago IL 60611
EUROSTARS MAGNIFICENT MILE
660 N State St
Chicago IL 60654
(312) 202-6000
AC Hotel Chicago Downtown
630 N. Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
The Whitehall Hotel
105 East Delaware Place, Chicago IL 60611
HILTON CHICAGO
720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
MILLENIUM KNICKERBOCKER CHICAGO
163 E Walton Place, Chicago IL 60611
Past editions
The 2025 UPM Career Fair was a great success! The event brought together over 90 top UPM dual-degree engineering students and 12 companies, facilitating more than 100 personalized interviews. It was held on April 7th, 2025 in Chicago at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). We were honored to have the support of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C., including the Office of Labor, Migration, and Social Security in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The keynote speech, delivered by Arantxa Herrero Merino, General Secretary, and José Ignacio Sánchez Ruiz, Office Technician, focused on Social Protection for Spanish Citizens Abroad, offering practical tips for professionals with careers spanning the U.S. and Spain. The event concluded with an open networking session attended by companies, students, and IIT representatives. Here are some pictures from last year!
Thank you to our sponsors!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Candidates hold F-1 visas and are eligible for OPT/CPT, allowing them to work in the U.S. for at least 3 years.
No. With OPT/CPT permission, students can work without company sponsorship.
Typically 1–2 representatives. If you need more, we will accommodate where possible.
The fair focuses on individual interviews. Each company has a large table for information and interviews.
Students hold a Spanish bachelor’s and a dual master’s degree (U.S. & European MSc). Fields include CS, AI, Mech/Aero, Industrial Tech, IT, Finance, Civil/Architecture, Electrical, Math, Robotics, Project & Energy.
Companies submit job requirements, organizers create a candidate shortlist, and companies select which candidates to interview.
Yes, you only interview candidates you choose from the curated list.
Yes, but in-person attendance is encouraged for networking. Online interviews are scheduled during or after the event.
Accommodation links, corporate codes, and guidance for booking hotels near the venue are available in the Accommodation section. Additional information will be provided if assistance is confirmed.
Yes, company representatives are invited to both events.
