UAM Holds Annual Career Fair

Co-Arts and Entertainment Editor

Photo by Brittany Gilliam Sears

Short Stop Play - At the Career Fair, Recruiting Operations Officer TJ Naylor and Major Dwight Ikenberry, assistant professor of military science, explain to junior applied science major Liporchia Cobbs the opportunities the ROTC program offers students. The annual Career Fair took place Wednesday, March 30 in the John F. Gibson University Center.

   The University of Arkansas at Monticello held its annual Career Fair March 31 in the John F. Gibson University Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

   The Career Fair helps put University students in contact with potential job opportunities. 

   Students were asked to dress professionally and have a resume on hand to distribute. Even though this is not a job interview, organizers stressed the importance to make a good impression. 

   Laura Hughes, director of counseling, testing and career services said, "It's a great opportunity for students to meet employers and make contacts." 

   The Career Fair also lets students know about upcoming jobs. One of the contacts at the fair was Federal Coordinator and Minority Teacher Recruiter from Monticello School District, Bettye Gragg.

   "We like to let them know what jobs we have available in our district," Gragg said. She said she takes the information the students give her, back to the superintendent. The superintendent then makes the information available to all the principals. 

   Another contact at the Career Fair was Senior Human Resources Generalist for Deltic Timber Corporation, Bobbi Britton. Britton said when students come to the Career Fair, there are certain things she is looking for. She said she looks to see if the students are personable, able to communicate, professional, prepared with a resume and knowledgeable of what they are looking for. 

   Britton also said students should never dismiss someone because of what company they are representing. She said the company they are representing might own other companies that could be a valuable opportunity for a student. 

   The Career Fair has placed students with jobs on many occasions. Trisa Mitchell, HR recruiter for the Arkansas Department of Health, said many of the people she talks with at the Career Fair later have jobs within the company. 

   Many students came out to visit the Career Fair. Liporchia Cobbs, junior applied science major, said she really enjoyed being able to ask questions and get a good idea of what employers are looking for in employees. 

   Cobbs got a chance to visit with U.S. Army Major Dwight Ikenberry, assistant professor of military science, and CPT TJ Naylor, recruiting operations officer for the department. 

   Naylor said he feels this is a good option for students because they get free health care, leadership training and get school paid for. Ikenberry said students don’t have to worry about passing out resumes and hoping for a job. He said this is a good way to have job security. 

   Hughes said there was a really good turnout at the Career Fair and a steady flow of students. Hughes also said there is already an internship being set up between one of UAM's junior students and an employer that present at the Career Fair.

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