Career Fair

Description

The Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a career fair In partnership with the Sparta School District at the Sparta High School on Thursday, March 1st. As the economy continues to improve and more of our baby boomers retire, it is apparent, that as a community, we need to do our part to mold our future workforce to meet our continuing demands for our current and future workforce.
Coming from a small town, I remember hearing, “I can’t wait to leave this town. There is nothing here for me.”  We would like to educate today’s youth on all the opportunities available in and around the Sparta community to potentially entice them to build their careers here and also to educate them on the variety of opportunities out there. For example, someone may look at my business and say, “They only offer temp jobs.” When in reality, internally, we hire Human Resource Professionals, Marketing Professionals, Management (to name a few) and we place entry level to executive level positions in temporary roles as well as in Direct-Hire positions. This Career Fair is a chance for you to showcase your company and the variety of opportunities you offer while educating today’s youth on how to become a productive employee in today’s world.
From 10am to 3 PM, we will be open to the high school students. We will have some keynote speakers and some breakout sessions in the morning. If you can assist with either of these, please let us know. If you cannot join us in the educational portion in the morning, set-up will be from 11:40-1PM for the more traditional Career/Job fair. After school is released, we will open the venue to the public so other job seekers in the community can join us and explore opportunities with the businesses and colleges that have set up booths with us.
A career fair is a venue in which students and employers/colleges can exchange ideas and information about employment/educational opportunities. Some employers/educators actively recruit at career fairs, while others participate in order to learn what skills and perspectives students can offer their organizations. Participating students can explore a range of career paths, network with prospective employers/colleges, and practice essential professional skills.

• Educating students about the job search process and the necessary skills for success.
• Teaching students strategies for conducting an effective job search--from building and writing a strong, effective resume to preparing for an interview.
• Partnering with private and public sector employers on behalf of our students to further their careers;
• Creating opportunities for students to experience the “world of work” through internships, co-ops, and job shadowing experiences.
• Empowering students to understand career choices and to manage their professional lives.

We are also interested in scheduling a time to have students/public tour various facilities in the Sparta area. If your company would like to offer a tour to these individuals, please let us know.
 
 
 
 
 
Career Fair Date: Thursday, March 10^th 2016
Timeline:

• 8AM-9:15AM: Educational set-up
• 9:30AM – 10AM: Keynote Speaker (address students to outline the expectations for the morning breakout sessions.)
• 10AM – 11:50AM: Breakout sessions in classrooms
• 11:00 – 1:00 PM: Career Fair/Job Fair set-up
• 11:55AM-12:25PM: Lunch (The High School invites you to dine in their cafeteria – if you register by Feb 1^st, the school will cover the cost of your meal.)
• 12:30PM-1PM: Key Note Speaker (Discuss resumes, applying for jobs and various ways to find job openings)
• 1:05PM-2:05PM Junior class will opening explore booths/drop of resumes to those they are interested in exploring summer employment and/or internships with
• 2:10-3:00PM: Keynote Speaker for the Junior Class (reiterate appropriate behavior /attire /attitude /drive/ dedication) (Possibly George Siemen – Organic Valley?)
• 2:30-3PM: Seniors explore booths/drop of resumes to those they are interested in exploring employment and/or internships with
• 3PM-3:30PM: Afternoon Break
• 3:30PM-5:00PM Open to the Public: Career/Job Fair – Focus in on current openings you would like to fill