Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: On Campus

Media Credit: Amadeo Lopez The marines were one of the many different post-college opportunities offered to students.

Media Credit: Amadeo Lopez The Tarrant county police department was also at the job fair.

The bi-annual job fair in the gym on April 3 ended career week with more than 60 employers recruiting for job openings.

The employers were looking to recruit students and community members for a broad range of positions. Companies such as the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department were seeking anywhere from five to 10 employees, while larger companies like Fed Ex were hoping to recruit at least 50 new employees.

Employers were looking for different qualities and qualifications from their applicants.

Tarrant County Sheriff's Department recruiting officer Evgina Cundiff said she targets intelligent people.

"Articulate, very good eye contact, confidence and good drive are key factors for me," Cundiff said.

The Tarrant County Sheriff's department requires job seekers to have a high school diploma or GED, six months work experience, be at least 18 years old, obtain a jailer license within one year, possess a valid driver's license, obtain a Texas license within 30 days and be a U.S. citizen.

Recruiter for Bright Horizons Family Solutions recruiter Carmen Adame said she was looking for a specific type of person.

"[We are looking for] smiley faces, people who have a can-do attitude and a passion for working with children," Adame said.

Bright Horizons Family Solutions offers tuition reimbursement, a scholarship program and a work/life solutions program for families within the company.

Fed Ex's Human Resources representative Kelvin Baugh said his company provides better benefits for job seekers.

Employees can receive paid vacations after six months, and medical, dental and vision benefits after 1,000 hours worked, a 25 cent raise every 90 days after the first year. Also, employees are eligible for a $100 new-hire bonus after the first 80 hours.

In addition to good benefits, some employers appealed to jobseekers because of the job growth they offered.

AutoZone Human Resources representative Bob Masengill explained that it is very easy to move up in his company.

"After completing the training, within two to six months you can move up in the company," Masengill said.

He said since they have been around for 28 years and it's time to expand, positions have opened within the company.

According to Director of the Career Center Patsy Caropresi there are usually 60-70 companies at each job fair and around 500 job seekers, and since the economy isn't doing well, this semester's job fair was a little smaller.

The spring job fair is traditionally held at the end of career week which ran from March 31 through April 3.

"We try to have a couple of seminars at the beginning of the week and end the week with the job fair," said Caropresi.

The career center also gives away scholarships during career week. Money for the scholarship fund comes from the money the sponsors of the job fair donate.

"We gave away six scholarships this week, and all of that was from the money that our job fair sponsors donated," Caropresi said.

Since there are so many employers, the job fair makes it easier on seekers to be personable.

"The job fair is a great opportunity for a student or a job seeker to talk to employers informally," Caropresi said, "It's not as scary as when you sit down for an interview. And it's also a good opportunity for them to practice their interview skills with the employers. Also, it's a great way to talk to many employers at one time."

There were different reasons to attend the job fair. Some job seekers said they were looking for that one perfect job, while others were just looking for a temporary position.

"The jobs that I'm looking for right now are just temporary fixes, but I feel like I may have met a potential long-term job," real estate major Luis Méndez from Richland Community College said.

Not everyone was satisfied with the choice of potential employers.

"I think there could be a lot more," criminal justice student Diana Mendez said.

Remington College student Amanda Shadox agreed.

Shadox said she was attending the job fair looking for a career in medical assistance and felt there was not much of a choice.

"There are not really that many jobs here," Shadox said.

The job fair is held at least once a semester in the gym and is sponsored by the career center. For more information about the career center or future job fairs call (972) 860- 8310 or stop by C-215.



Some information contributed by Kevin Leal

---

Send comments to etc4640@dcccd.edu

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools