CWU held a job fair for their students on Oct. 28, with multiple businesses and organizations in attendance coming out for the event to allow students to reach out and make connections.

Businesses that attended the career services fair included Sherwin-Williams, Washington State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Marines and departments of CWU, such as IT Management and Administration.

CWU Employer Outreach Liaison, Bruce Simpson, said these fairs are a way to let students find potential employers and create networking opportunities.  

“Many students will come here and not even realize certain employers existed until they see them at the job fair,” Simpson said. 

Each organization attending looks for something different, with some asking for specifics and others offering incentives for joining. 

“We’re looking for students, any year in school, interested in leadership opportunities first and foremost,” Captain Cardinal of the Marine Corps said. “That’s what the Marine Corps Officer’s Program is about. You’re using your degree and experience in college to actually be a leader.”

Representative of Child Care Careers Samira Miller described the benefits within their program. Miller said they offer “tuition reimbursement, full-time and part-time positions for college students.” Employees can pick their availability and travel radius, and are then paired with a daycare within the radius.

Being in person for the first time since the pandemic was refreshing for the business representatives themselves. 

“It’s definitely nice to get back into the community after this past year and a half,” Sergeant McCluskey of the Marines said. “It’s nice to get face-to-face with teachers and faculty and start to rebuild the community relationships and show we have a heart for giving back.”

For more information, students can visit CWU’s career services website. There, students can see what events come next, attend workshops or make an appointment with a career counselor.