Eastern New Mexico University's Counseling and Career Services hosted their Annual Career Fair on Nov. 9. They aimed to equip students with interview skills and provide a stepping stone to their future by setting up job opportunities.
Nikie Bonner, who is the administrative secretary of the department, and Melissa Yazzie, a wellness and career counselor, both hosted the event and greeted students at the door.
"Students are able to have one-on-one educational experience with professionals that are outside of school that you would not be able to get inside of a classroom," explained Nikie.
Students, professors and employers discussed their experience at the Career Fair:
Coley Norcross
Major: Elementary Special Education
Classification: Senior, graduating in fall 2018
Current Job: Student Teaching at John Baker Elementary in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Thoughts on the Career Fair: "The Career Fair is great because I am able to have interview experience."
Coley Norcross
Mrs. Kari Lemke
Job Title: Director of Teacher Education Office at ENMU
Thoughts on the Career Fair: "It gives students the opportunity to interview and interact with professionals, not to mention enabling students to find jobs in their fields."
Jorge Sanchez
Job Title: Recruiter/Principal of Harwell Elementary in Lubbock, Texas
Why He Tabled at the Career Fair: "We are hoping to find young teachers in the West Texas area to join our school. We are looking for high-quality people to improve our school and staff."
Kenzie Aguirre
Major: Early Childhood Education
Current Job: Student Teaching at Brown Early Childhood Center
Thoughts on the Career Fair: "This experience gives me more options and opportunities for teaching positions in New Mexico."
Mike Speck, Greyhound Grad
Job Title: Recruiter/Ruidoso Middle School Teacher
Why He Tabled at the Career Fair: "ENMU does a great job producing high-quality students who are professional and prepared. ENMU's education program is top-notch."
Suzi Brizzi
Job Title: Recruiter for the GEO Group Inc.
Why She Tabled at the Career Fair: "The is a wonderful opportunity to share with students who we are and coming to find out that these students are very intelligent."
GEO Group Inc. recruiters Danielle (left) and Suzi (right).
Katie Dean
Job Title: Recruiter for Elwood Staffing in Clovis, New Mexico
Why She Tabled at the Career Fair: "It's so great to meet students and connect them to businesses around the area. We try to find future employees, and it's difficult to find people fit for the workforce, but the Career Fair at ENMU is a great opportunity to connect with students."
Katie Dean
Cheyene Wagner
Classification: Senior, graduating fall 2018
Job Title: Elementary Special Education
Thoughts on the Career Fair: "I like that the Career Fair is super laid back but in a professional setting."
Leslie Whitecotton
Classification: Senior, graduating fall 2018
Thoughts on Career Fair: "There are so many options to choose from. It helps me as a student to take the next step after graduation."
Cheyene Wagner (left) and Leslie Whitecotton (right).
Kylie Katalinich, Greyhound Grad
Job Title: Recruiter of TEK Systems
Why She Tabled at the Career Fair: "It's a good way for us to get a pulse for IT talent and to search for people in the New Mexico area that are interested in what we do."
Kylie Katalinich
Rey Coss, Greyhound Grad
Job Title: Director of Campus Life/ Freshmen Seminar instructor at ENMU
Thoughts on Career Fair: "Our class has been going through creating a resume. Students are now figuring out that they need more experience to build themselves up. This Career Fair will allow to interact with professionals and prepare students for their future."
Karelly Stevens
Classification: Freshman
Thoughts on Career Fair: "Even though this job didn't have anything in my fields of interest, it was a great opportunity to widen my perspective."
Connor Words
Classification: Freshman
Thoughts on Career Fair: "I am not from around here, so the Career Fair is a great opportunity to see what jobs are out there that I didn't know about before."
Kayla Stephens
Classification: Freshman
Thoughts on Career Fair: "It was really beneficial to talking to different school districts because I would like to go into HPE coaching."
Zane Burden
Classification: Senior, graduating fall 2018
Major: Music Education in Choir
Thoughts on Career Fair: "It was a great experience to interact with different school districts."
Andres Labastida
Major: Music Education in Band
Thoughts on Career Fair: "I liked getting to know different schools districts and their story in the New Mexico area so that I can choose which direction to go."
(L-R) Andres Labastida, Kayla Stephens and Zane Burden.
Cassie Aguilar
Classification: Senior, graduating fall 2018
Major: Music Education in Choir
Thoughts on Career Fair: "The Career Fair is a great opportunity to practice professionalism and network with different schools."
