By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
In an effort to connect Fort Hays State University students to a community with high demand for new employees, the university will soon host a part-time job fair.
The event is scheduled from 2:30 to 4 p.m., Aug. 24, in the Memorial Union on the FHSU campus.
"We want to invite any businesses and organizations who are trying to hire, especially students for part-time positions to participate," said Lisa Karlin, Fort Hays State University career and internships advisor. "There's no cost to attend, but they do have to register."
She said space will be limited and registration is required by Aug. 19.
"But I would say registering, the earlier, the better," Karlin said.
For those employers that participate, she recommends having applications and organizational materials ready for students to review.
"If they have any kind of nice display, they can bring that, but they don't have to. They can just bring representatives, and we'll have a table for them," Karlin said.
In the current hiring landscape, full of digital applications and Zoom meetings, she said job fairs remain a great way to find and attract local talent.
"It's just a really good opportunity to interact one on one with students," Karlin said. "And it's great for the students too because they have a chance to find out what jobs are available in the community and have that interaction without kind of that scary 'have to go into a business and apply.' "
To register, organizations can use the FHSU student career platform — Handshake.
They can also contact the Career Services office directly at (785) 628-4260 or by email at [email protected].
The Handshake system can be used year-round to connect with students looking for employment.
"It's very easy," Karlin said. "And employers, if they're interested in don't have a Handshake account and contact our office, we can help them get set up.
"Once they've done that, they can actually post jobs themselves, which is nice," she continued. "If an employer does not hire often for permanent positions, maybe just part-time or internships, and they don't really want to have to create an account they can actually just work with our office and we'll post those positions for them."
Along with helping students find potential employers, the office also works to connect businesses with interns.
"We have interns in the community all the time," Karlin said. "In fact, this summer, I think we have about seven in the Hays community. And then we have about 10 outside of Hays through a certain program that we offer throughout the year."
And with numerous other businesses securing internships on their own, it remains a way to recruit future help.
"It's a great way for them to get that hands-on experience and to make connections," Karlin said. "And so if an employer is interested in hosting a student intern, certainly contact career services because we can help them get connected."