The Career Management Center officials are hosting its second Summer Employment Fair on April 19 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Legacy Hall. Students interested in seeking summer employment can attend and visit with the 18 companies at the fair.

Stephanie Sullivan, assistant director of career management center, coordinated the entire event for students and employers to join in on.

“We hope the event will help students secure summer employment,” she said. “This is a great time for students to visit with the employers in one location and complete job applications.”

According to Sullivan, the event will help with improving students communication and leadership skills.

“Students gain some interview experience and also learn how to speak about themselves and their experiences while in college,” she said. “They are able to work on those communication and leadership skills.”

Dirk Welch, director of career management center, said the main purpose of the event is to give work opportunities to students that choose to remain in the community over the summer time.

“If students are from Wichita Falls or choose to stay here while taking classes, we want to give them resources to find work,” he said. “Some of those resources attending the event are very seasonal, but many of them could lead into the fall or spring. For instance, Castaway Cove is clearly a seasonal opportunity. It’s up to the students and employer in terms of the longevity of the position.”

Welch said the takeaway of this event for students is mainly employment.

“They’ll have the opportunity to interact with the employers and learn what they’re offering,” he said. “They’ll either be directed to the website or a kiosk within their operation to apply. Students can bring their resume or fill out an application while there.”

In addition, Welch said students should dress nice since they may be interviewed on the spot.

“It can occur that one of the employers interviews a student on the spot to gain additional information, if that employer brings multiple representatives,” he said. “Students will certainly have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the employers and share their personal interests, skills, experiences, etc.”

According to Welch, the event is important because it allows students to gain work experience while still receiving an education over the summer.

“These are quality employers that want to work with students and their schedules,” he said. “This goes without saying but the monetary aspect is important for students and often helps with paying for school and other needs as well. For those students taking summer classes this could be a nice blend of gaining money, experience, and skills all while still receiving an education.”

According to Sullivan, setting up the event was a process to get the word out to students and employers.

“Companies were contacted either by an in-person visit, telephone call, or email to announce the event,” she said. “The employers were then able to go online and register for the event. In addition, announcements are made to students via email, classroom, and social media.”

The Career Management Center officials invited local employers to the fair and 18 companies were interested in what the event provides for students.

“We invited employers within the area to attend and these 18 companies registered to visit with our students. They are not paid to attend, but choose to in hopes of meeting our great students and walking away with some new employees,” he said.

Welch said he’s excited to see how this year’s employment fair will impact students.

“The turnout last year was nearly 100 students and several of them indicated that they were hired,” he said. “Some of the employers are interested in coming back for this year’s fair, which is great because it shows the connection made and benefits both the student and employers. I highly encourage students to attend.”

Companies attending the fair:

• Aeropostale
• Boys &  Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls
• Camp Chaparral
• Castaway Cove Waterpark
• Chick-fil-A Wichita Falls
• Dairy Queen
• Kona Ice
• Maurice’s
• Mystaf
• River Bend Nature Center
• Sam’s Club
• Southside Youth Center
• Texas Department of Transportation
• The Home Depot
• United Supermarkets
• Whataburger
• Wichita Falls Country Club
• Workforce Solutions North Texas/Work in Texas