Career fair draws quality applicants to area employers

Although Wednesday’s Spring Career Fair at the Centene Center in Farmington drew a slightly smaller crowd than past events, it was generally agreed upon that the approximately 250 applicants who attended were of exceptional quality.

Representatives from 30 area employers were on hand to meet prospective employees, making it the largest job event since its inception in November 2010.

The bi-annual event is sponsored by ODACS Inc. and presented by the Daily Journal, J98 and Monster.com.

Job seeker Zach Carrow, a graduate of Farmington High School, attended the event to hopefully find a job that allows him to help people.

“I’ve gotten to a place in my life where I’m starting to be content, so I need to help others,” he said. “And I know it’ll help me, too.”

Georgie Trammell, a representative from Advantage Nursing, which has been family owned and operated since 1979, said they were very happy to have both qualified nurses and nurses aids apply for positions within their agency.

Trammell, who works in Advantage Nursing’s corporate office in St. Louis, had high praise for the people she’s met during hiring events in the Parkland.

“Everyone down here — we just did Mineral Area College a couple of months ago — every time I’m down this way, there’s community,” she said. “The word gets out; people are interested to come and talk to you. It’s always worth the trip.”

Sgt. James Dennison, who was assisting the Farmington recruiter for the Missouri National Guard, was also satisfied with the day’s results.

“We got maybe two or three pretty good leads,” he said. “It was definitely worth it.”

The Farmington Fire Department was among a few first-time employers to participate in the job fair.

Fire Captain Mark Mattina said, in addition to the good public relations inherent with appearing at the event, they had about 20 people express an interest in possible employment with the department.

The Missouri State Park Rangers were also first-time career fair participants. The rangers’ booth was a popular stopping point for many job seekers, keeping Ranger Brian Whitfield busy answering questions and talking to interested applicants about career opportunities with his agency. 

Other agencies, such as Valley Minerals of Bonne Terre, have participated in several career fairs.

Safety Director Nettie Young, who was on hand to talk to potential employees, explained that the principal product of Valley Minerals is dolomitic quicklime, commonly known as dolime.

“We sell (the dolime) to the steel industry,” she said, “and currently we are working on several projects there at our plant, a lot of upgrades. Our plant’s been open since 1947 …We are in the process now of putting up a brand new kiln. That’s huge for us. It’s going to mean a lot of opportunities (for new jobs).”

At the completion of the fair, all the participating employers stuck around for several extra minutes so prizes donated by event sponsors and other area businesses could be handed out. Eight gift certificates, gift baskets and other prizes were awarded to the agency representatives through a random drawing.

Businesses participating in the job fair included: the Farmington Fire Department, Missouri State Park Rangers, Mercy Hospital, Belleview Valley Nursing Home, Big River Home Inspections, Data Dash, East Missouri Action Agency, Advantage Nursing, TG Missouri, First State Community Bank, Cap America, StarTek, the Missouri Department of Corrections, Mineral Area College, Missouri National Guard, Valley Springs Youth Ranch, Pony Bird, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, EDGE Manufacturing, BJC Parkland Health Center, Presbyterian Children’s Home, Kelly Services, Mineral Area Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center, Southeast Missouri Mental Health, Crystal Oaks Skilled Nursing, the Veterans Resource Center, Pyramid Home Health Services, Faith Foundation Children’s Home, Valley Minerals, and TalentForce and the Missouri Job Center.

The Missouri Job Center also had skilled staff on hand to help job seekers fill out online applications, print more resumes if needed, and help applicants successfully greet and interact with employers.

“I’ve gotten to a place in my life where I’m starting to be content, so I need to help others. And I know it’ll help me, too.” Zach Carrow, career fair participant

View more photos online at dailyjournalonline.com” width=”800″ /> Sgt. James Dennison, assistant recruiter for the Missouri National Guard, talks to two potential recruits during Wednesday’s career fair at the Centene Center in Farmington. 

View more photos online at dailyjournalonline.com

The bi-annual Daily Journal, J98 and Monster.com Career Fair is sponsored by ODACS Inc. Pictured here, from left, are event representatives Kim Long (J98/KREI), Laura Maize (Daily Journal), Rita Martin (ODACS Inc.), Susan Sanders (ODACS Inc.), John Graham (Daily Journal) and Mark Toti (J98).

Mike Campbell, left, representative from the Missouri Job Center, talks to job seeker Zach Carrow during Wednesday’s Daily Journal, J98 and Monster.com Career Fair, held at the Centene Center in Farmington.  

Amy Patterson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3616 or apatterson@dailyjournalonline.com.