Part-time job fair opens doors for students

ETSU Career Services held its part-time Job Fair for students from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday in the Quad.

Students had the opportunity to talk to numerous businesses and organizations about what part-time positions they offer while eating funnel cake fries, mini soft pretzels and popcorn made by Sodexo.

Businesses there included Aflac, Chick-fil-A, Dominion Senior Living, Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians, Jimmy John’s, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Penske Truck Leasing, Sun Tan City and more. They set up their tables with applications, informational pamphlets, business cards and free items such pens, cup holders and keychains.

“I think that it benefits the students in the long run,” Girl Scout Programs Manager Amanda Johnson said. “Having a part-time job, I think, teaches some life skills and some basic job skills that could help with potential, future full-time employment.”

“It definitely helps you with time management,” ETSU sophomore Tori Marion said. “It teaches you responsibility, but it’s difficult, too.”

ETSU Career Services Director Jeffrey Alston organized the event after talking to different organizations on campus and realizing that part-time jobs are a big need for students.

“That’s actually how I got hired on here at Penske Trucking was through a career fair,” Emily Wilson of Penske Truck Leasing said.

The fair allowed students to learn about businesses they may not encounter on a regular basis.

“A lot of kids are not from here, so they don’t really get out of the university itself, so it would be hard for them to know what is out there,” said ETSU sophomore Tatiana Garcia.

Marion said job fairs like these are beneficial to students because they provide an opportunity to explore places in Johnson City without leaving campus.

Many students have or are looking for part-time jobs to combat the expenses of college tuition and housing.

“It’s not easy, but also being in college is not cheap,” Marion said. “It’s kind of essential, so they are really helping us out by doing this.”

Businesses like Penske Truck Leasing showed students that part-time jobs are not necessarily temporary, but they can lead to bigger opportunities in the future.

“So as far as a development standpoint, we are looking for the leaders of tomorrow,” Penske District Rental Manager Robert Brutosky said. “For our company, we try to find somebody from the part-time to transition into full-time and eventually leadership positions with the company.”