MOOREFIELD, W.Va. – Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s Career Services Department, led by Dixie Heavener, career counselor, held a Fall 2023 community job fair on November 14, 2023. This event was attended by fifty employers, such as Northrop Grumman, American Woodmark, Timberline Mountain, Clearway Energy Group, Pilgrim’s, and Workforce West Virginia. There was an abundance of job seekers who attended, plus three hundred high school students from Moorefield, Petersburg, Hampshire, East Hardy, and Hardy were bused in to be able to meet with employers.
The job fair drew the attention of West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore, who asked to hold a short presentation at noon on campus to tell students about the Jumpstart Savings Programs and the chance to win up to $12,000 through a contest designed for graduates or current students pursuing an education in the trades. All contestants had to do was tell the world what makes them proud to be a West Virginia skilled worker and snap a photo for submission. More information about the Jumpstart Savings Program can be found by going to wvjumpstart.com. “This is a very unique program that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the country. It allows individuals graduating from places like Eastern to be able to save money to buy tools, equipment, licenses, certifications, new business start-up costs…anything relevant to the degree that they have gotten here,” said Moore, “They could even save to buy a new vehicle to go to a job site. This is a way to prioritize people who are taking the non-four-year college path because we need to be able to provide the same type of support that we are providing to students who are going to places like WVU. These types of jobs and vocations that are being taught here, are just as important if not more important than people getting a four-year degree.”
Heavener said, “Eastern’s job fair brings together job seekers and employers from the tri-state area to network and discuss job opportunities and internships. I am honored to plan these events for Eastern students, alumni, and community members. I am also very proud of today’s turnout. I hope to see participation rates continue to soar.” Employers who attended also were entered in a raffle drawing to win one of Eastern’s Potomac Highland Producers boxes. The winner of the PHP box was Pat Davis of the West Virginia Laborers Union.
Eastern Career Services will hold two big events next year; the Career Carnival and a Community Job Fair. The Career Carnival, scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2024, will allow local students and the general public to explore career paths and job readiness skills through interactive and engaging hands-on demonstrations and fun, educational games. Fall 2024 will feature another community job fair. Mark your calendars and plan to attend these community events hosted on Eastern’s main campus.
About Eastern Career Services
Career Services at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is a comprehensive service center designed to meet the career planning, career exploration, job seeking, and post-graduation needs of every student and alumni. Get expert assistance in building or refining your resume, cover letter, or professional portfolio. Practice your interviewing skills with a mentor and receive feedback on your performance. Learn important career planning and employment skills by participating in bi-monthly mini-courses. Topics include but are not limited to negotiating your salary, benefits of online professional platforms (i.e. LinkedIn, Focus2Career, Handshake), job search strategies, interview skills, personal finance, setting up your own business, and how to ask for what you need at work to be successful.
Stop by Room 111 at Eastern’s main campus in Moorefield, WV, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Evening hours are available by appointment. For more information, visit easternwv.edu/current-students/career-services/. Contact Dixie Heavener, Career Counselor at dixie.heavener@easternwv.edu or 304.434.8000 ext. 9239.
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