Students search for employment at fair

Local companies offer job positions

Mindi Westhoff / contributing photographer Students at the second annual Student Employment Fair look for jobs offered by local companies and JMU.

Aiding students in their search for a job that suits their talents and interests, the second annual Student Employment Fair was held Thursday in the College Center Grand Ballroom.

Thirty-seven different organizations and companies were represented at the fair — an increase from the 35 groups last year, according to Denise Meadows, job location and development coordinator for the Student Work Experience Center.

Organizations that attended included Kohl's, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Manpower, Blue Ridge Premium Beef and the JMU Bookstore.

This year, a more equal distribution of on-campus and off-campus employers were present. Last year, the fair featured more on-campus jobs, but students requested more off-campus options for this year's fair, Meadows said.

"We used the student evaluations [of the event] from last year to improve on this year's employment fair," Meadows said.

Many students and companies liked the convenience of the employment fair.

"We like to hire students," said Aaron Smith-Walter, lead night driver for the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation.

The fair was the quickest and easiest way to reach so many students at once, he said. "There's been a wonderful flow of students," Smith-Walter said.

Elaine Buthe of the athletic department equipment room said she was looking for student managers.

"We've had a fair amount of interest," Buthe said.

Students also liked having all the job opportunities located in one place. "This was very well organized," freshman Amanda Simpson said. "I was able to meet a lot of different companies."

This event took a great deal of planning, according to Meadows. The Student Work Experience Center contacted all on-campus job coordinators and many places throughout Harrisonburg that often hire JMU students, inviting them to the fair.

"I got an e-mail from Denise Meadows [about the fair], and this fair seemed like a great way to meet a lot of students," said Andy Carrier, task force coordinator for PR Donnelley printing company.

At the end of the fair, students were asked to fill out an evaluation form. The suggestions will be taken in consideration for next year's employment fair.

Students, who did not attend the fair still can use the employment center to find jobs. Visit www.jmu.edu/stuemploy for a listing of on-campus jobs.

Those who wish to work off campus can work with Meadows. To receive access to an online database of these jobs, students can attend an informational session held by Student Employment Services.