More than 200 students were registered to attend the ninth-annual Engineering and Technology Career Fair on Friday in the main building at the Grayslake campus of the College of Lake County.
Jose Sanchez of Wadsworth was among the CLC students who received an email notification and “came as soon as possible.
“I’m just looking to see if I meet with the companies, get myself introduced with them and maybe apply for some positions, and we’ll go from there,” he said.
Sanchez plans to graduate this fall specializing in heating and air conditioning.
“Honestly, they’re going to be looking for more HVAC technicians,” Sanchez said. “Ventilation is very important. They need people to go out there and fix it.”
The career fair was presented by the college’s Career and Job Placement Center (CJPC) and planned for early January when CLC and other college students are on winter break. CLC’s spring semester begins on Jan. 21.
CJPC executive director Will White said the career fair has grown “exponentially” since its launch, with this year featuring approximately 20 employers.
“I’m really encouraged by the caliber of employers we have,” he said. “These are employers located not only in Lake County, but globally. So you can really get with a company, and establish a really solid career just from coming to a career fair.”
Meeting potential employers in person is “the best way” for applicants, White said.
“What I’ve found, just with the way of applying online your resume goes into that internet abyss, you never know if anyone is going to see it or not,” he said. “This is an opportunity to see someone face-to-face, and actually show off your skills as an individual to that hiring manager.
“Based on the demand of employers looking to hire, that hasn’t gone down, that’s gone up,” White said. “So, if that’s any indication of the job outlook, then employers are really looking to hire individuals.”
Baxter International, Siemens and UL Solutions were among the employers represented. Business casual attire and resumes were encouraged.
Jacob Schifrin of Vernon Hills, a second-year student at the University of Illinois Chicago, wore a suit and tie to seek a first summer internship in mechanical engineering in the STEM field.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEAM adds the arts component to those preferring that model.
“STEM is the future because there will always be problems that need to be solved specifically in terms of things that require technology,” Schifrin said. “Technology exists to make our lives easier; increase our quality of life.”
The Astronautics Corporation of America, an aerospace company with a location in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, was also represented at the career fair.
“I love face-to-face,” said Nicole Dudek, human resources generalist with the Astronautics Corporation of America, whose company serves the aerospace industry in foreign, domestic, commercial and military applications.
Lake County Workforce Development of Waukegan account executives Rob Linderman and Omar Ramirez staffed a resource table.
“We help job-seekers return to the workforce,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez, who served in the U.S. Army, said educating people about available grants is how, “We also help small business grow,” so employers “can ideally subsidize some wages for their employees, and also just get to the next level.”
Linderman said, “We help connect up with local businesses here in Lake County, and try to educate them about the services we have to offer. We assist them in trying to connect the local job-seekers and empower businesses here”
Daria Syzonenko, direct labor recruiter for Flex of Buffalo Grove, promoted a manufacturing partnership career path.
Syzonenko said Lake County is a preferred place to reside and conduct business.
“It’s a safe area,” Syzonenko said. “It’s also a place to build a business. Flex is made by people, for people, with people.”
CLC’s Career and Job Placement Center is hosting its annual Criminal Justice Career Exploration Fair on March 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grayslake campus, with agencies featuring career options for students pursuing a criminal justice degree.
