BUSINESSES SET STUDENT JOB FAIR

More than 30 businesses and hundreds of Southeast Missouri State University students will attend the second annual part-time job fair Wednesday at the University Center.

"This is a great opportunity to help solve two employment problems in the area," said Jerry Westbrook, director of Career Services at the university. "Students are looking for part-time work, and local businesses are looking for part-time employees."

The job fair, sponsored by Career Services, the Student Government, and Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce University Relations Committee, will give businesses an opportunity to employ students with a variety of skills.

"Businesses have been invited to display information about their companies, talk to students about part-time positions and career opportunities, distribute applications and interview selected students," said Westbrook.

The job fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"This will give most students an opportunity to attend the event," said Westbrook.

With more than 90 majors offered at the university, and more than 8,500 students, businesses will have an opportunity to find employees whose skills are suited to their needs, said Jody Hestand of Career Services.

"These skills include retail and marketing, manufacturing, hospitality, and health care," said Hestand.

Several part-time job vacancies were filled during the job fair last year, and more were filled later because of the fair.

"It's a great way to make contact with prospective employees," said Don Fisher, JCPenney manager, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce's University Relations Committee.

Students have a lot to offer employers, added Fisher, "and the job fair gives students a chance to look at a number of employment opportunities that can fit in with their class schedules.