Today's Star Press
Job fair brings out companies, hundreds of jobseekers, Manda
By KEITH ROYSDON
kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com
MUNCIE -- In a crisp light-brown suit and carrying a briefcase, Jamall Bell looked like he should be operating one of the booths at Tuesday's Star Press job fair, interviewing applicants about positions at his company.
That Bell was one of hundreds of jobseekers, yet was dressed like a CEO, was indicative of how seriously he was taking his job hunt.
"I think it makes a difference," said Bell, a public relations major soon to graduate from Ball State University. "It shows you are serious about the position you're looking for. They see your confidence level."
Hundreds of people looking for jobs -- or looking to trade up from their current jobs -- circulated through the Horizon Convention Center on Tuesday, talking to some of the three dozen employers manning booths inside.
As many as 200 people showed up in the first 20 minutes of the four-hour job fair, said Mary Vannatta of The Star Press. More than 900 people attended the job fair.
Once inside, they found employers ranging from the Carter Express trucking company to lawn-care providers to manufacturers.
Many of those employers reported they were pleased with the turnout.
"It's been wonderful," said Jennell Floyd of Sallie Mae. The student loan debt management center hoped to distribute 100 applications on Tuesday. Sallie Mae's local operation opened a little more than a year ago.
"It's good to see people are still excited about us being here," Floyd added.
Another employer in the news lately was looking for workers. Tomasco LLC of Randolph County -- which recently learned it will expand its contract with Honda to make parts for the automaker's upcoming Greensburg plant -- is looking to fill 100 positions by the fall of 2008, Toni Short said.
"Everything from upper management to janitorial," Short said.
At the Weaver Popcorn booth, Amy Cole had collected 30 applications in the first hour. Cole was looking for machine operators for the Van Buren business.
Among the most sought-after jobs were those in medical fields. That's what Vanessa Delk was looking for.
"I'm looking for medical assisting," Delk said. "I've got experience. I've done it for 15 years."
Brian Graham expressed disappointment that more information technology jobs were not available, while other job seekers were less specialized.
"I really need something full-time," Amanda Rains said, adding that she thought she was looking for an office or banking position but became interested in positions at the Center for Mental Health.
"I have a vague idea, but there's so much here," Rains said.
Not every booth was occupied by traditional employers. Several were staffed by schools, including Ball State University and Indiana Business College.
One booth, for Mary Kay cosmetics, was looking for self-employed consultants, said April Thomas.
"Some women don't know they can start their own business," Thomas said. "We're so accustomed to working for someone else."
Dawna Misner said she was working part-time but seeking a full-time job, and thought she should check at the job fair.
"I'm just looking to see what's out there," Misner said.
Contact news reporter Keith Roysdon at 213-5828.
Originally published April 11, 2007
Melanie Maxwell / The Star Press
Sharon Ash of Muncie fills out an application at Life Touch during the Star Press Job Fair at the Horizon Center in downtown Muncie on Tuesday afternoon.
Melanie Maxwell / The Star Press
Karen Baker of Anderson looks around after entering the Star Press Job Fair at the Horizon Center in downtown Muncie on Tuesday afternoon. Baker is seeking full-time employment in the medical field.