Career Fair | Clark 24/7

Successful In-person Career Fair

_{More than 300 job seekers made connections with 70 employers during the Career Fair.}

Gaiser Student Center was a hub of connection between employers and people seeking jobs during the Clark College Career Fair on May 17.

It was the college’s first in-person Career Fair since 2019. In total, 70 regional employers engaged with more than 300 students, alumni, and community members. The event was organized and hosted by the college’s Career Services team.

Open to all students, alumni and community members, the Career Fair offered job seekers opportunities to meet local employers representing various industries and programs of study, to find internships, part- or full-time jobs, and explore career opportunities.

_{Kirk Johnson, finance director at City of Ridgefield, stands at Washington Finance Officers table to connect with students and graduates in finance, accounting, and business regarding opportunities in government.}

More than 300 job seekers made connections with 70 employers at the Career Fair.

The hall was filled with tables staffed by representatives eager to talk to potential employees about jobs and paid internships. At every table, employers were hiring.

Clark County consistently is looking to fill 40 to 50 positions, said Rori Jones, human resources representative. Some of the positions are entry level.
Thompson Metal Fab is hiring welder/fabricators, said Michael Moore, vice president of business development. The company has connections with the college’s welding program, but Moore added they also hire people without welding skills.

He said, “We’ll give you free training onsite and access to top-notch benefits.”

Matt Wadleigh of the YMCA is looking to hire preschool teachers, summer camp counselors, swim instructors and other positions. The key criteria?

“Patience,” he smiled. “And like to work with kids, families, and active older adults.”

FedEx is hiring package handlers and operations managers, said Susie Martinez, talent acquisition coordinator at FedEx. Martinez, a student at Mount Hood Community College, says FedEx offers tuition assistance up to $5,250 per year for employees who are college students.
The City of Ridgefield is hiring students pursuing a finance degree to fill part-time summer intern positions.
IQ Credit Union is hiring entry-level teller positions, including high school interns. It offers a week-long hands-on paid training.
Vancouver Public Schools and Evergreen Public Schools are hiring school bus drivers, paraeducators, and teachers.
Washington Department of Labor and Industry is hiring paid summer interns in many interest areas.
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is hiring registered nurses, medical assistants, and pharmacy technicians.
Fresnius Medical Care is hiring dialysis technicians and dialysis nurses.
PharMerica is hiring pharmacy technicians.

And more…

“The overall response to the Career Fair experience has so far been overwhelmingly positive,” said Emily Meoz, director of advising and career services at Clark College. “Career Fair planning and day-of coordination was a success, thanks to partnerships with community members and departments across the college.”

Job seekers also had an opportunity to get a professional headshot photo taken in a photo booth for their LinkedIn accounts and other professional social media platforms.

Cath Keane, associate director of career services, said her team has been planning the event since October.

She said, “My greatest worry was: will people come? Will businesses come? We’re so pleased with the turnout. We have a waiting list of employers.”

Student success story

*Left*: Clark grad Michael Peterson is District Human Resource Specialist at Fred Meyer. *Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish*

Clark College graduate Michael Peterson talked to people about career opportunities at Fred Meyer. After Peterson graduated from Clark in 2018, he transferred to WSU Vancouver, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in personnel psychology and human resources management in 2020. Now he’s the district human resources specialist at Fred Meyer. He says he covers hiring, onboarding and more for 15 stores.

He credits his two years at Clark as crucial to his success in a job and field he enjoys.

“I learned time management at Clark,” Peterson said. “I learned to balance my workload while going to school full time and working full time. I wouldn’t have been successful at WSU Vancouver if it weren’t for what I learned at Clark.”