On February 8, Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology hosted the 14th annual Job Fair. Held at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre at the Oshawa campus, the event featured 60 local, provincial and national organizations including Maple Leaf Foods; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Goodlife Fitness; and Fastenal Canada and attracted hundreds of students.

The fair offers students an opportunity to network with potential employers; interact in a professional manner; and gain feedback from recruiters with some students building relationships with recruiters that often lead to jobs after graduation. “Last year, two students were hired on the spot, which is very exciting,” said Louise Stiles, outreach co-ordinator, Career Services.

From an employer perspective, the event offers them an opportunity to build brand awareness of their respective organizations across campus while recruiting students for part-time; full-time; contract; internship/co-op placement; and summer employment opportunities.

“We enjoy coming to the Job Fair each year because it increases the talent pool of applicants when hiring for entry level positions,” said Ryan Mitchell, district manager, Fastenal Canada. “We’re always hiring because it’s never a bad time to hire a good employee.”

The Job Fair is co-ordinated by the college’s Career Services department, which assists students and graduates with job search initiatives including part-time and placement searches throughout the year and helps graduates find full-time employment for up to two years after graduation. In addition, it helps students prepare for their job searches through resume and cover letter workshops; mock interviews; career advising; and employer information sessions.

Career Services also manages the Hired Portal, which notifies students and graduates of job postings and internship opportunities and provides various tips and tools related to obtaining a great job.

“Students should visit the Hired Portal often to view job listings and job search tips, which are posted regularly,” added Stiles. “The portal allows students to stay connected to services offered by the college while researching employers and companies that would be best suited for them.”

For more information on Career Services, please visit https://hired.durhamcollege.ca/home.htm.