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Many play the field at job expo at YSU
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
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Youngstown State University student Jackie Rager of Struthers talks with Afl ac recruiter Matthew White at Tuesday’s job expo at Kilcawley Center on campus. Rager was one of more than 200 students who attended the event, and many students said they felt good about their chances at landing employment.
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By Karl Henkel
YOUNGSTOWN
James Palmer has worked four strenuous years on his way to earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical-engineering technology in May.
Like many students, Palmer, 23, a senior at Youngstown State University, wants to have a job in his chosen career path, and he may have a better shot at it then some of the YSU graduates from the past handful of years.
According to statistics from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies are expected to hire more college graduates than last year, the first increase since 2007.
How many more grads? Close to 20 percent.
“Most [companies] basically responded that business is improving,” said Edwin Koc, director of strategic and foundation research at NACE. “They’re going back to populating their talent pipeline.”
Koc said approximately 200 companies completed NACE’s survey; the average company size was approximately 7,000.
At YSU’s job expo Tuesday afternoon, Palmer, who spoke with representatives from five organizations including V&M Star and Delphi, had a chance to play the field and get a look at potential job opportunities.
And despite economic circumstances of the past few years, Palmer, along with many of the more than 200 students who visited Kilcawley Center to meet with 65 potential employees, felt good about the meetings they had with possible employers.
“It looks like companies are starting to expand,” Palmer said. “At least preparing for more positions and more business around here.”
The Valley’s unemployment rate was 11.2 percent in February (new figures are set to be released Friday), higher than the 8.8 percent registered nationwide in March.
Numerous companies participated, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, PNC Financial Services and Giant Eagle.
Packer Thomas Human Resource Manager Meribeth Noble said the accounting and business consulting company spoke with about 20 students at the event. She said it has several openings beginning with accounting internships, which often evolve into bigger roles with the company.
Palmer, who had gone to the biannual career fair the past three years, said he noticed more and more businesses, particularly this year, not only attending but actively seeking new employee prospects.
Palmer said he’d prefer to stay near the Valley if possible, and judging by stats compiled by NACE, he may get that opportunity: The Midwest, along with the East Coast region, saw the biggest increase in potential new jobs.
Koc said the biggest gains are expected in the engineering, finance and pharmaceutical science fields. Government should see the biggest decrease at approximately 25 percent.
Some students sought jobs, but others, such as 21-year-old junior human-resources-management major Tom Burton, were just looking to get a jump start before graduation.
Burton, one of the first to arrive early Tuesday, was able to speak with representatives from four organizations in a 30-minute time frame.
“I’m looking for any opportunity to get my foot in the door,” he said. “I think this was a good way to get some experience right now.”