Businesses aren't the only things that are shrinking in this country.
William Paterson's March 31 job fair, which was called 'Opportunity Fest 2009', gathered different companies and graduate schools. There was a significant drop of employers this year compared to previous years, according to Theresa Cruz Paul, assistant director of career development and advisement.
"We usually have about 70 employers with a wait list but this year we had about 50 employers and 10 graduate schools," said Cruz Paul. "We did have about the same amount of students as usual but we had more alumni who came this year."
Some employers that did attend this year’s ‘Opportunity fest 2009’ were Coca-Cola Inc, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Kraft Foods, PNC Bank, Sherwin Williams, and The Vitamin Shoppe. The industries presented included banking and finance, retail merchandising, food and beverage, enforcement and security and plenty more.
According to Cruz Paul, they named the job fair 'Opportunity Fest 09' because the fair also included other positions other then only full-time. They also had offers for part-time work, internships, summer work, and graduate schools.
Caldwell College, Monmouth University, Rutgers University, The College of New Jersey, and Fairleigh Dickinson University had their graduate school in attendance during the fair.
"I felt that the fair went extremely well and it was nice to see many students were inquiring to further their studies, maybe even with Fairleigh Dickinson University," said Susan Brooman, director of graduate recruitment at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Mark Yakencheck, a senior at WPU who seeks a position in public relations, feels that more students may be looking into graduate school because jobs are harder to get these days.
"Going for a higher degree is probably a good choice for many people," said Yakencheck. "If you can't get a job right now then why not go for more schooling, if you can afford to."
Students all over are worried because they see that their opportunities are slimmer now than they were only a few years ago.
"I've sent out at least a hundred résumé's and I haven't heard anything back from anybody," said Amanda Weindel, a junior at WPU, concentrating on a career in television. "I hope that things turn around soon."
More information regarding the Job Fair and how to get in touch with these employers can be obtained at the career development center.
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