Students explore employment opportunities at job fair

Students came dressed to impress at the fourteenth annual job fair hosted by both of Windsor’s post-secondary institutions.

Organized by St. Clair College and the University of Windsor, the job fair attracted 73 employers and expected to host about 2,000 students seeking part-time, full-time and seasonal work. The schools provided shuttle bus services to students and alumni who planned on attending.

The University of Windsor’s career development coordinator Yvonne Currie said she was pleased with the employer and student turn out. Attendance for both increased from last semester’s job fair at the university.

“Both career services offices from each institution certainly work on coordinating this event to give our students a fabulous opportunity to meet with employers, both local and outside of the Windsor area who are potentially hiring whether it be full-time, part-time, volunteer or summer,” said Currie.

Representatives from the agricultural, education, financial services, health, hospitality, insurance, military and government sectors filled the Canadian Club halls at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. This gave students the opportunity to speak face-to-face with industry professionals who are looking to hire.

“The good thing about the job fair is that the employers are here with the intention of hiring and they know who the audience is today. I think we have very good success in students making connections with employers,” said Currie. “Getting to know employers, getting to know people and what’s out there and the employers in return getting to know our students. I’ve been an employer before and I’ve been at these events and we have certainly hired from this process as well. It’s good for everyone.”

Windsor’s unemployment rate sits at about 10 per cent, being one of the highest of any major Canadian city. Despite these numbers, Turiya Gittens, a recent graduate from the college’s Hospitality Management program,  said she is hopeful for employment.

“I think it’s hard to get a job right now in general just because of the timing and economy. I keep trying and so do other students so we will all eventually get our chance. We just have to keep trying, giving out resumes and hopefully we can pull through this economic time and find jobs,” said Gittens. “I am hoping to gain employment in the summer and hopefully build it into a career.”

Many employers agreed they require their ideal candidate to be outgoing, knowledgeable in their field, show interest in learning and be ambitious.  Rob Grech from Desjardins Financial Security also said they are looking for a student who is interested in starting their own business.

“We want someone who wants to grow a business, be an entrepreneur and be career oriented,” Grech said. “We’ve been very busy today, most students coming in waves. We are talking to a lot of finance students, business and marketing students. We’re so glad with the turn out this year and hope we find a candidate for our advisor position.”

The schools host two job fairs per academic calendar. The next is scheduled to be in the fall at the University of Windsor.