Businesses from all over the area were out in full force trying to recruit future employees at the Multicultural Career Fair Thursday at the Culp Center.
“The turn out has been really good, said Billy Garrett of WEMT-TV Fox 39, “We’ve really enjoyed the communication with the students, and we’re hoping to pick up a couple of good candidates.”
This fair, which brought together over 30 companies, was co-sponsored by the offices of career placement and internship services, multicultural affairs and international programs.
“It’s really all about helping people get prepared for their careers,” said Calvin Purvis, assistant director of career placement and internship services.
There was a wide variety of companies and organizations present, ranging from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to the United States Army to Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
“Enterprise is a young and energetic company,” said Dana Henry. “We, of course, are always looking to work with local universities to try to recruit new talent.”
Booths set up by the companies featured everything from information to free goodies, such as cups, pens, flashlights, key chains, ice scrappers, and even piggy-bank shaped key chains.
The welcoming table set up by career placement and internship services was no different. It featured different magazines and other information as well as CDs that the office produced. The 3,000 CDs produced were made to promote the office’s student services.
Purvis said that the office is trying to use technology as an outreach to students through the CDs and other methods.
“We’re trying to use e-mail and electronic communication more effectively,” he said.
The companies present at the career fair were hopeful that they would find future employees in ETSU students.
“We have hired many ETSU students, and they are some of our best employees,” said Karen Smith, human resources manager at First Vantage Bank.
Purvis said that fairs like this are only one of the services that career placement and internship services offer. They will also help with resumes, cover letters, exploring job markets and helping students find reasonable salaries.
“Not everyone realizes that they have this kind of a service available to them,” he said.
He said that since 1997, the services offered by the office have doubled, but the staff has only added two additional positions.
“That is a testimony to all the staff in our office and all the technology we use,” Purvis said.
Purvis urges students to check out the office’s web site at http://www.etsu.edu/careers. Students can also contact Purvis at the office by calling 439-4441. He said that both will help students take advantage of the services they have already paid for.
“We need to make sure that we help people get jobs or career paths with these diplomas,” he said.
Purvis will also be offering a resume writing workshop on March 6 from 3-5 p.m. in the Forum at the Culp Center.

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