MANSFIELD – Students from The Ohio State Mansfield and North Central State College had the opportunity to secure their future at a job and internship fair on Wednesday afternoon.
Approximately 50 businesses set up shop at Kee Hall on the Mansfield campus, recruiting for both full- and part-time employment and internships. Tracy Bond, internship coordinator with OSU-M and NCSC, said the fair included both nonprofit agencies and private businesses.
“We did a lot of events prior to this to promote it, including resume boot camps and classroom outreach,” Bond said. “We also worked with faculty and staff, they were very supportive.”
Bond said she hopes the students take away valuable networking experience as well as jobs and internships. Caitlin Rethorst, career counselor for NCSC, said many students were filling out applications throughout the fair.
“Students are being told to fill out applications at the fair, so that’s really exciting to see,” she said.
Nearly 30 internships were requested for summer work among the businesses present at the job fair, including many paid positions at $10 per hour. Students also had the opportunity to have a free professional portrait taken by B.L. Bishop Photography, a member of TogLoft.
Companions, an STNA nurse aide training center, appeared at the fair representing their Ashland and Ontario training centers. Jennifer Behrendsen, director of training services in Ontario, explained their program targets students in the health sciences.
“We just want somebody with an open, caring heart that can do their job. That’s what we strive for,” Behrendsen said. “Those who are more outgoing and show us they’re ready to go above and beyond what they need to do is somebody we’re going to hire right away.”
Kristy Blough, director of training services at the Ashland location, said ultimately what makes an attractive job candidate comes across in their personality.
“When you’re talking to them and they’re asking questions and being interactive with you, you can tell those type of people,” Blough said. “And it takes a special person to do this job, it’s not for everybody.”
The opportunities present at Wednesday’s job fair were not lost on the students. Devin Zeisset, a non-traditional freshman at OSU-M majoring in business marketing, said he hoped to find an opportunity to enhance his resume after five years in the Marine Corps.
“I really want to get my foot in the door and get some experience in the marketing sector,” he said. “The primary business I wanted to seek out was Mechanics Bank, it’s a pretty respected name and they have a lot to offer.”
Zeisset said the job and internship fair was an excellent opportunity for students and businesses alike.
“Especially on the student side, not a lot of people get to access this many businesses looking to hire,” he said. “That in itself is a huge advantage for students looking to make money, but mostly experience.
“Everything that can beef up your resume will make you look better in the future, as well as on-the-job experience for what they want to do when they graduate.”
