Students and employers mingle at annual Summer Job Fair
The buzz of representatives from over 55 employers and hundreds of students resonated through the halls of the Taggart Student Center during the annual Summer Job Fair on Wednesday.
Students had the opportunity to network with various businesses and agencies in the Sunburst Lounge of the TSC throughout the day. Organizations and companies represented at the event ranged from event planning to tour guide services to nutritional supplement distribution.
Over 600 students came to the event this year, each with specific goals, according to Donna Crow, executive director of USU Career Services.
“For some students, it might just be an opportunity to explore,” Crow said. “For others, they’re targeting this event, they’ve got their resumes, and they’re planning to do interviews this afternoon or tomorrow because they’re making a job happen.”
Kortnee Craig, a senior studying elementary education, attended the job fair. In the past, she has worked during the summer at museums, camps and lodging outside Zion National Park.
“I personally like to make most of my money during the summer to help pay for my schooling,” she said. “Then, when I’m in school, I don’t have to worry too much about working full-time because I use the money I’ve saved up during the summer.”
Summer employment is a route many students take to help pay for college. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in July 2018, 20.9 million people aged 16 to 24 years were employed, 10% more than three months prior, in April. This increase in employment is a cycle that happens yearly.
In addition to financial help, summer jobs also provide opportunities to gain experience for college students. This was one reason Jadyn Wallace, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, came to the fair.
“I’m looking for a job that will either help me be able to pay for school or to get some experience in engineering,” Wallace said.
Employers benefitted from the job fair as well. Candace Hutchinson, an employee of the Utah National Parks Council of the Boy Scouts of America, was at the fair recruiting people to work at BSA camps in Utah. She said the job fair was helpful because they were able to reach out to people that may not usually think about working at a camp over the summer.
The Summer Job Fair is just one of seven fairs USU Career Services hosts every year. More information about upcoming fairs and other employment resources can be found at career-services.usu.edu.
—alek.nelson@aggiemail.usu.edu
@nelsonalek