Job and transfer fair a huge success

By Mallory Stiles             
Editor in Chief

LCC’s annual Job and Transfer Fair was held March 20 in the Gannon Building from 2 to 5 p.m. According to co-host and Internship Development Manager Rebecca Sowa, it was a total success.

“We are feeling really good about today,” Sowa said. “There was a really great employer turnout. I think we ended up with 79 employers and the traffic from job seekers seems to be pretty steady.”

This event is hosted at LCC but is open to the public. Sowa said she saw a variety of attendees.

“We have seen a lot of people from the community,” she said, “but we have also seen a lot of students scanning their StarCards, so I think we have an even mix.”

LCC Internship Development Manager Rebecca Sowa co-hosted the Job and Transfer Fair on March 20 with Graham Berke.  Photo by Mallory Stiles

While all employer booths seemed to stay pretty busy, potential transfer students also flooded the transfer booths in attempt to get as many of their questions answered as possible.

Transfer Center Systems and Operations Manager Graham Berke said this was the second year the job fair was meshed with the transfer fair and the results were remarkable.

“We had over 320 students RSVP, which is awesome,” Berke said. “Being in a partnership with the job and internship fair works so well and we are so happy to be a part of it. Almost every student we talked to planned on going to both fairs to talk to employers and university reps.”                                               

Transfer Specialist Lucas Richards added he had seen a lot of foot traffic, and it felt like each student walked away having learned something. 

“We talked to a lot of students,” Richards said. “I think that a lot of students came here set on one institution, but had their eyes opened to how many options they have.”

Jemimah Baraka and Estrayiana Loredo are best friends from high school who came to the fair together looking for new opportunities.

“There are so many options,” Baraka said excitedly. “It’s a vibe. Everyone is interacting, everyone has a booth and there are little treats everywhere to reel us in.”

“It’s like a convenience store,” Loredo said.

Friends Estrayiana Loredo and Jemimah Baraka attended the job fair at LCC.  Photo by Mallory Stiles

There were also some who were already employed but came looking for a change of pace, including LCC student Victor Rigg.

“I came because I am looking for a new job,” Rigg said. “Currently, I work in a butcher shop. It’s great but there is a lot of customer service, and I am a bit sick of THAT.”

His friend, MaKayla Lusardi, said she is not currently employed, but almost certain she could find something at the fair that would suit her.

“It feels like there is something for everyone here,” Lusardi said.