Event Provides Students with Chance to Meet Employers

WINTERVILLE�Pitt Community College students had a valuable opportunity to meet with area employers this month during the school�s annual career fair.

Nearly 50 employers from various businesses and industries participated in the April 3 event, which was held on campus in the Charles Coburn Center. Organizers were hopeful the fair would result in employment offers for students expected to graduate next month.

Tami Kernen, PCC�s Career Services Counselor, organized the fair and said students that participated were pleased with the variety of employers in attendance. Several students sent Kernen thank you notes to express their appreciation.

�The career fair was wonderful,� student Telza Keel wrote to Kernen in an e-mail. �I know it took a lot of work, and I wanted to tell you that we appreciated it.�

Student Debra Wade was also thankful for the opportunity. �I was at the career fair today, and I am very optimistic (about) a new career,� she said.

In addition to full-time employment possibilities, Kernen said the fair also provided students with a chance to find out about part-time and summer job opportunities. She invited temporary agencies to provide that information as well as representatives from Walgreens and CVS, since both are building stores adjacent to the Pitt campus.

�I felt these two places as well as the temporary agencies would provide students with information about part-time opportunities that many are seeking in these economic times,� Kernen said.

To prepare students for the fair, Kernen held a series of workshops about a month before the event. The seminars focused on resume writing, power greetings, interview and networking skills, and tips for following up with employers, she said.

�We actually practiced ways to meet potential employers and to initiate conversations with them regarding opportunities. I think that gave the students more confidence,� Kernen said, adding that she reviewed and critiqued many of the students� resumes prior to the fair.

Kernen says she encourages students to �think outside the box� with regard to potential jobs.

�For example, they should remember that PCMH hires many types of employees, not just those in health care,� she said. �There are opportunities (at PCMH) for students in a wide variety of areas that encompass almost all of our degree programs.�

In addition to the potential employment opportunities the fair presented, event organizers hoped it would help students further develop job-hunting skills, make them aware of career opportunities available in Eastern North Carolina, and encourage them to complete their programs of study to land those jobs.

04/09/2009