Employment opportunities abound at job fair

By Danny Barrett Jr.

Nathaniel Brown wants to be your company’s computer guy.

“I’d love to land any job or internship in Computer Programming Technology,” Brown said. “I’m visiting with as many IT people as I can find.”
Brown, of Byram, was among Hinds students who met with local job recruiters at the Raymond Campus for a career fair April 11 inside Mayo Gym. Career fairs held at five Hinds locations during the spring semester have connected job-seeking students with local businesses.

Career and technical fields such as electrical, construction and automotive work were represented at the fair, along with recruiters in the public sector, military, retail and foodservice outlets.

Recruiters representing about 25 companies and entities showed up for the event, said Robert Allen, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for the college. “Our goal is to provide students a way to connect with businesses in the same place they attend classes,” Allen said. “Currently, there are more jobs available than people to fill them and the opportunity for motivated students is at an all-time high.”

Makenzie Blackwell, 19, an Indianola native, also has her sights set on a technical job after completing her Hinds credential in Computer Science. “I’m looking for things in computers and in computer engineering,” Blackwell said.

Students like John Moore, also of Byram, and Kathy Manning, of Vicksburg, were there to gain some insight on how to be their own boss someday. “Right now, I need a job in Electrical Technology but I do see myself starting my own business in it,” Moore said.

Manning, 40, is studying Cosmetology at the Utica Campus and is transitioning from working retail jobs in the recent past. “I’m studying cosmetology and plan to do a business that caters to those who have recently lost family members,” Manning said. “I want a career and not just a job.”