Maranda Shain | Assistant News Editor
May 1, 2014
- Recruiters help students learn to tie their ties to improve their chances of
- being hired in the RCC job fair April 25.
It was a beautifully warm afternoon on April 25 full of sunshine and opportunity. The Quad was sprinkled with easy up canopies and decorated tables topped with colorful pamphlets and job applications. The turnout was impressive; most vendors had little trouble finding eager job hunters to talk to.
The Career and Technical Office helped put on the event in the Quad. The people of the office greeted people as they arrived with gift bags that contained a student handbook and a multicolored highlighter pen. According to the CT Office, there were more than 60 booths set up and ready to hand out information, as well as pens, candy and various other knick knacks.
Several colleges were in attendance, handing out information about continued education and career training. Options were presented by DeVry University, Chamberlain College of Nursing, ITT Technical Institute and Grand Canyon University. Most of the schools noted that they offer online programs as well as traditional classes.
One booth was set up by police officer and recruiter, John Choyce. Officer Choyce traveled from Fort Worth Texas with the purpose of recruiting RCC students into Fort Worth crime fighting. Choyce said that he is looking for people who are interested in law enforcement.
“This is noted as a good college with a good criminal justice program,” said Choyce to explain why he trekked across three state lines.
Choyce said that he has nine interns at this time, and that it is not unusual for these interns to continue on to become detectives, patrol officers, work in the canine unit, crime labs, crime scene investigation or sex crimes, to name a few.
“We have a lot to offer,” Choyce said. “We have more than 1,600 police that serve 800,000 citizens.”
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was also present looking for the right people to become 911 communications officers, correctional deputy and deputy sheriff trainees.
The Superior Court of California had representatives on site encouraging attendees to apply for a job as a Supervising Probate Investigator. There is an intern program, and the application closes May 21.
For those looking to start a successful home business there were options available throughout the fair. People from Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Avon, Mary Kay and Arbonne were in attendance to speak to students. Karen Henson, a Tupperware representative could barely hold back her enthusiasm as she explained to potential prospects some of the benefits of working from home.
“This is a great job,” Henson said. “You can work out of your house, set your own hours or even do it on the side (of another job).”
Many local businesses showed up to actively advertise the jobs available with their companies. Victorian Salon and Day Spa was on the lookout for some talented individuals to hire for skincare, hair, massage therapy and receptionist. Sandra and Gilbert Espinoza own Victorian Salon and run it with their children Jonathan, who graduated UC Riverside, and daughter, Vanessa who is 10.
“Shame on the cosmetology department for inviting this elite salon and no one showed up,” Mr. Espinoza said.
RCC had representatives available, informing students about the possibility of working on campus. RCC has approximately 100 departments. Job information as well as applications will be available in June for viewing online. One benefit to working for RCC is the possibility of being placed in a job that coincides with your major and the flexibility of working around your class schedule. Federal work study is also available for students
who qualify.
Riverside Personnel Services, Inc. attended to let students know that with their services, a job could be right around the corner. The agency places applicants with companies and focuses on accounting and office staffing positions.
The employment options available were diverse. There were booths set up by Calvin Klein, which was looking for associates, cashiers and managers. In addition Wells Fargo Bank needed tellers and personal bank representatives. FedEx, Chick-fil-A Sam’s Club encouraged everyone to apply online. Dignity was hiring for mortuary and cemetery operations at their 11 different locations. The Salvation Army needed people in their retail stores, and the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton in Ontario was looking for phone operators and front desk personnel.
The Air Force Reserve was at attention, telling everyone the top 10 reasons to join the reserve. Some of the benefits were college credit, tuition assistance and paid high-tech skills training.
For those who are interested in a career in the medical industry there was the Indian Health, Inc. booth.
“We were looking for medical and dental assistants, Lab assistants, RN’s and just about everything,” Ashley Lynne said.
Rosa Arambula, who was also with the company. said, “We serve all Native Americans in San Bernardino and Riverside.”
Don Bainum, a talent acquisition manager with UTC Aerospace Systems said his company is the fourth largest aerospace company in the world, with more than 240,000 employees. According to Bainum the company hires engineers, but it is also looking for assemblers who only need a high school diploma and 3-4 month experience working with tools. For people who have ever wanted to help build a Boeing 747 or a Bombardier, this could be the company.
Many of these companies have online applications and students who could be just who they are looking for.
