Fall job fair sees increase in students, decrease in employers

Pizza X’s sign at this weekend’s fall job fair read “Now hiring freaky people,” but organizations hiring anyone – freaky or otherwise – were more scarce this year than in past years.

While the number of students increased 43 percent from last year to more than 2,000 students, the number of employers decreased 10 percent, said Lou Ann Hanson, associate director for administrative services at the IU Career Development Center, in an e-mail.

Students were able to meet employers such as Campus Recreational Sports, Office of Admissions, Friends of Art Bookshop and several libraries around campus.

Students filled out applications, listened to employers describe their job opportunities and were interviewed on the spot.

For some, the experience was overwhelming.

Freshman Emily Harris said the number of booths surprised her. She said she is hoping to get a job at one of the different libraries, such as the Lilly Library, the Education Library, the Monore County Public Library or others, that attended the fair.
“I hear those go quick, though,” she said.

Freshman Ariel Hunt joined students who were sitting at empty tables filling out applications. She was turning in an application to work with developmentally disabled people through Stone Belt. She said she was also interested in Wright Place Food Court.

For some freshmen, an off-campus job can be daunting because of transportation issues.

Sophomore Qeyocha Green said she has to get a job because she just got a car.

“I have to pay for it,” she said.

After not attending the job fair last year, she said she was surprised by the number of students.  

Hanson said she encouraged students who missed the fair or who want more information on job opportunities to visit the Career Development Center at 625 N. Jordan Ave. across from the Wells Library.

“Career advisers answer general questions about majors or careers, critique resumes and cover letters, explain what resources are available on campus, and get students started on an internship, job and graduate school searches,” she said.

Katy Kelly from the Monroe County Community School Corporation said that it had been years since they had come to the job fair and did not know what to expect.

She was there to hire students who wanted to work for before- and after-school programs for elementary and middle school students.  

Kelly said School Age Care wanted to see what IU students had to offer and expand student involvement. They also take volunteers.

“We’ve had a lot of students and its giving us a good sense of who is out there,” she said.