It was difficult to assess the exact number of attendees on the day. It was aimed at fourth years but we know that other year groups attended and participated. The number of attendees is estimated to be at 180 students,made up of third to fith year medical students.
There were 49 responses to our pre-fair online questionnaire. This figure could have been improved if participants had been given a hard copy on the day to complete before the talks began. Of the 49 respondents the majority (74%) were fourth years and 20% were completing an intercalated BSc (Figure 1), which they would have started halfway through their fourth year.
Figure 1: Demographic information of pre-fair questionnaire respondents

Interestingly, of the 27 responses to the post-fair questionnaire all were fourth years. This is an interesting outcome as the questionnaire was circulated in the same way as the pre-fair questionnaire.
Figure 2: Demographic information of post-fair questionnaire respondents

After demographic information, the most popular speciality was analysed, this refers to the speciality most ranked as a “first choice” specialty. The pre-fair questionnaire results (Figure 3) shows that 27.5% of respondents ranked GP as their first choice followed by 12.5% choosing paediatrics and 10% choosing geriatrics. This is a particularly interesting result as at this point students have had differing levels of exposure to GP, Psychiatry, Medicine (including Cardiology and Radiology), Surgery and Orthopaedics. They have yet to take part in final year placements which are: Geriatrics, Neurology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Cancer Care and A&E.
Figure 3: First Preference Specialities Pre-fair

When compared with the results from the post-fair questionnaire (Figure 4) changes can be noted. The proportion of respondents ranking GP as their first preference increased to 40% and the 2nd and 3rd choice specialties were replaced by Anaesthetics (10%) and Dermatology (10%). This may indicate that the careers fair had a considerable impact on the career choices of medical students. It appears that it may have confirmed GP as a career for some and highlighted it for others.
Figure 4: First Preference Specialities Post-fair

Next the most selected specialty was considered, this refers to the specialty most selected, be it as 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice. The three most selected specialities before the fair were GP, A&E and Paediatrics, with 45% of respondents, 27.5% and 27.5% of respondents respectively choosing these specialities. (Figure 5) This is compared with 60% of respondents choosing GP, 40% choosing Paediatrics and 40% choosing A&E in the post fair questionnaire (Figure 6). The most selected specialties did not change, however the degree of their popularity did change.
Figure 5: Three Most Popular Specialities Pre-fair

Figure 6: Three Most Popular Specialties Post-Fair

It is, therefore, pertinent to consider the reasons for choosing a particular speciality and this data was collected both before and after the fair. The data from both before and after the fair (Figure 7) (Figure 8) represents that the top three reasons for choosing a speciality are patient contact, interest and length of training.
The other options given to participants were; financial reasons, prestige, research potential and competition. Participants were also able input their own reasons for selecting specialties and gave the following; variety, work-life balance, practical/hands on experience, enjoyment, character of people currently in specialty, setting, holistic approach. Interestingly, interest in the chosen field was an option suggested by participants and was very popular, with a quarter of participants in-putting it in the pre-fair questionnaire.
Figure 7: Reasons for Choosing Speciality Pre-fair

Figure 8: Reasons for Choosing Speciality Post-fair

The final questions in this study were designed to broadly ascertain the perceived usefulness of a careers fair to medical students. From analysis of the data (Figure 9) (Figure 10) it appears that 62% of respondents agreed that the careers fair helped to decide on their future career. In addition, 52% agreed that the careers fair was helpful in general. This implies that the careers fair overall had a positive impact on the career aspirations of medical students.
Figure 9: To What Extent Did The Careers Fair Help Decide Your Future Career

Figure 10: Was the careers fair helpful?

The data from this study demonstrates that careers fairs are useful to medical students, and are worth providing. A specific participant comment indicated that the careers fair may be more useful in final year as they will have had more exposure to specialties and be better placed to make decisions and utilise the careers fair. However, the qualitative data also suggested that the careers fair lead to broadening of views and identification of career pathways for medical students. This highlights the importance of providing exposure to training schemes and pathways to better inform students of the availability of diverse specialties available.