Career expo brings out students, local employers

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The CFCC North Campus held their engineering, vocational, and technology career expo for students to meet and speak with employers. CFCC officials said every employer who attended has an office right here in the Cape Fear region.

The 30 employers who attended ranged from welding professionals to funeral service directors. CFCC’s Career and Job Placement Technician Stefanie Adams says events like today are helpful to show people how many options there are.

“You have to be creative with your job search,” Adams said. “80% of jobs are not online. And so if they’re not online, you have to go out and be proactive and network, meet people, get out into the community, tell them that you are looking for a job, get your resume in the hands of the most people that you can.”

CFCC officials said 22 employers were hiring at today’s expo, and students were able to submit resumes and set up interviews on the spot.

First-year student Jameson Baxter came to the expo because he says he wanted to get a jump start on his career search.

“To get a feel for what’s out there,” Baxter said. “Myself in particular, I’m not too familiar with the field, and I’d like to get out there and see what’s available.”

Baxter is working on degrees in mechanical engineering technology and applied sciences, so today’s event was right up his alley.

“It was pretty surprising the different companies that were out here today,” Baxter said.

Organizers say it’s important to keep an open mind, because the first job might not be your dream job.

“My dream job would be to own my own design firm, that kinda incorporates engineering and design,” Baxter said.