By Emily D. Coppola

March 22, 2019 - In West Virginia, students, guests, and employers flocked to Bluefield State College for the 31st annual Job Fair event.

At the free event, 90 employers awaited student engagement according to event organizer, Rebekah Hatch.

Employers from multiple fields offered information and networking to those who sought information.

Regarding the importance of the event, Hatch said, “Because it shows our talented students that their perseverance, that the skills they’ve earned and worked so hard for, that there is employment here in the Wild and Wonderful state of West Virginia.”

Partners of the event included U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, Bluefield State College, Workforce West Virginia, WVVA, and the Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias.

Categories of the employees included law enforcement, the medical field, education, government representatives, coal mining, and many more.

Hatch counted that 450 students had signed into the event, though more were continuing to come in until the very end of the event.

Career fields for students in all fields were available to ensure all students were accommodated.

Those who visited the event had the option to either hand in a tangible resume copy or submit an electronic version. Hatch stated that she would be sending the resumes to all the employers who were in attendance.

In a letter, from Joe Manchin’s office, that was given to all those in attendance it stated that he would be hosting a Jobs and Resource Fair at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center in Beckley, on November 1.

The sub-categories covered a wide variety of studies. The requirements included both Baccalaureate, Associates, and Regent’s Bachelor of Arts degrees.

An employee with Buchanan Mine, Coronado Global Resources, Joe Beasley, said, “We’ve had a great turn out today.”

According to Beasley, the mining company hasn’t attended the fair in several years, but they are, “Glad to be back.”