Dozens of young people attended a job fair in Pico Rivera’s senior center Saturday, with about 20 in line to get in before the doors even opened.
The 4-hour job fair featured recruiters from a local business and the city’s parks and recreation department.
Job fairs allow everyday people to learn first-hand about various positions and have an “in-person interaction” with the employer’s recruiters, instead of just reading about a job on a website, said Sonya Meacham, Pico Rivera’s acting director of parks and recreation.
Meacham’s advice to folks attending job fairs includes:
- Dress to impress with professional attire.
- Research the prospective employer and the specific job you want to help show that you’re really interested in the group.
- Ask questions that aren’t already answered on the employer’s website.
- Visit information booths with a smile and polished in resume in hand.
- Be prepared to talk about your own skills and experience.
Yazlin Juarez, a 17-year-old student at El Rancho High School, attended the Pico Rivera fair in hopes of landing a job as a camp counselor.
Though she has volunteered before at a park, this would be her first job.
“I’ve grown up in Pico Rivera all my life and was able to take advantage of the many great programs and city events the Parks and Rec centers offered, so I think working there would be a good way to give back to the community,” said Juarez, who said she’s both nervous and excited about the prospect of working.
Folks looking for internships, volunteer opportunities and jobs can visit www.internships.com, www.usajobs.gov, www.indeed.com, and www.idealist.org.
The city of Pico Rivera’s jobs are posted online and summer positions are available in its day camp, aquatics, summer food service, parks, sports, senior center and special events programs. Students and others can get started knowing their city as volunteers.
Efrain Lee, supervisor of the volunteering program, said many volunteers are crucial for city events such as the Easter Extravaganza, the farmers’ markets and the city’s Halloween events which can draw up to 20,000 people.
Community News reporters are enrolled in JOUR 3910 – University Times. They produce stories about under-covered neighborhoods and small cities on the Eastside and South Los Angeles. Please email feedback, corrections and story tips to [email protected].
