Job fair draws nearly 100 employers - Marion Star
MARION - Job seekers and employers came together Thursday during an annual event co-hosted by Marion Technical College and the Ohio State University at Marion.
Nearly 100 employers and more than 230 job seekers attended the 12th annual job, internship and education fair in the Alber Student Center. The lineup included manufacturers, health care providers, social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement agencies, public school districts and institutions of higher of education.
Annette Walton, an employment specialist with OhioMeansJobs in Marion County, said the number of employers that had booths set up at the fair and the listings on the OhioMeansJobs website are indicators the job market is improving.
"If you go to OhioMeansJobs.com and do a search in a 20-mile radius of Marion, you're going to find over 1,700 jobs available," Walton said. "We have a steady flow through our office each week. We're there to help the job seekers, and we're also there to help the businesses to get those connections."
Morrow County residents Cameron Moser and Jodi Bennett were among the students who attended the job fair. The two Marion Technical College freshmen, both graduates of Highland High School, spent their time visiting with employers in technology and engineering.
Moser, 18, is enrolled in the mechatronics program at MTC. He said he went to the fair to get more information about the opportunities available to him.
"I'm looking for internships and part time jobs," he said. "It actually is really cool to see what all is out there and get a better understanding. It's cool to talk to people and find out what their business is about and what I can offer."
Moser said he submitted resumes to four employers, but he had to cut his stay at the fair short because he had a class to attend.
Bennett, 19, who is studying mechanical engineering at MTC, said the employers she talked to offered advice regarding what to focus on in her academic career.
"It seems like they're looking for people who know robotics and (computer-aided design), for sure," she said.
Bennett said she wants to pursue a career in engineering because it appeals to her creative nature.
"I just love design," she said. "I definitely want to work in something where I can use CAD."
Joel Liles, dean of enrollment services at MTC, said the fair is an important resource for students at MTC and Ohio State Marion.
"It's a tremendous opportunity to talk to a lot of employers in one place, and to improve your networking skills and your elevator speech," he said. "Sometimes it's not all about getting the job right now. You may be not wanting a job right now, but you need to practice those things so that when the real opportunity comes around, you're ready. It also offers opportunities for students who are looking for a part-time job to stay in college. There are many employers here hiring summer or temporary work. Ultimately, what it's all about, is career placement for our graduates."
Will Smith, coordinator of career services at Ohio State Marion, said the collaboration between Ohio State and MTC and the community partners, Ohio Means Jobs Marion County and iHeart Media, to stage the job fair is wise use of resources by all parties.
"When you've got two colleges next door to each other, it only seems to make sense to work together," he said. "We incorporate Job and Family Services as well so it's really a community event. And there seems to be an unawareness that we exist to help the employers find good employees. This helps to make them constantly aware that we are there to help them with their employment needs. It's an ongoing effort."
For information about job opportunities in the Marion area, visit http://ift.tt/1opaTLQ.
Information about Marion Technical College can be found at www.mtc.edu.
To learn more about Ohio State Marion, visit osumarion.osu.edu.
eacarter@gannett.com
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Twitter: @AndrewCarterMS
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