Job fair connects students with part-time jobs
Aug. 20, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- The tight economy and rising cost of higher education will make the 2003-04 academic year a challenging one for students seeking local jobs to help pay for their schooling.
One way Western Michigan University is gearing up to meet this challenge is by readying its Career & Student Employment Services office for a busy year. CSES services that shut down during the summer lull, such as a skill-building workshop series for job seekers, drop-in resume critiquing every Friday, and periodic job fairs, will all be back up and running when the fall semester starts.
To help students start off on the right foot, CSES will sponsor the Student Employment Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, in the Student Recreation Center's tennis court area. The event will give on- and off-campus part-time employers an opportunity to recruit students and give students a chance to find employment before the fall semester gets into full swing.
"There are jobs available locally, but it may take more effort to find them with the economy the way it is," says George Eskro, associate director of CSES. "Economic downturns are a fact of life. The important thing for students to remember is that there are still jobs, and we can assist them with effective job search strategies."
Eskro advises students to be prepared to accept positions that may not be their first choice and to put some extra time into their job searches. "Even if they don't find their most ideal jobs, the experiences and skills they'll gain from the work place will be very valuable in the future," he says. "In times like these, it's also important for students to have a good plan of action and use all available resources to create opportunity. It may very well start with visiting our office and connecting with someone who can assist them."
For more information, contact George Eskro at (269) 387-2745 or <george.eskro@wmich.edu>.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu