April 15, 2005
Job fair to connect employers with white-collar professionals
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Professionals and out-of-state Purdue alumni looking for good-paying jobs can find them at Purdue University during the second annual job fair for white-collar workers.
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The Purdue Dual Career Assistance Program, in conjunction with the Tecumseh Area Partnership and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development's Lafayette WorkOne office, will offer Connecting Indiana II from noon to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26, in the North and South Ballrooms of the Purdue Memorial Union. Employers from as many as 35 Indiana companies – including several high-tech companies from the Purdue Research Park – will be present to accept resumes and meet prospective employees. The job fair is free for both employers and job seekers.
Job seekers do not need to register for the fair but should submit a hard copy of their resume at the registration desk, which will be located at the entrance to the ballrooms. Those attending also are encouraged to bring several resumes to leave with potential employers.
Employers can register for booth space and a kickoff brunch by contacting Purdue Conferences online by Monday, May 16.
Victor L. Lechtenberg, Purdue vice provost for engagement, said he was pleased to see a strong turnout last year from Purdue graduates who had left the state for jobs but were hoping to return.
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"Last year, nearly 500 professionals took advantage of the white-collar job fair to advance their careers," Lechtenberg said. "Based on our follow-up surveys, every single employer who attended found the fair valuable and plans on attending again this year. The fair is a win-win experience for both parties."
Job fair participants again can take part in interviewing and job-search skills seminars, which will be presented from 8-10 a.m. in Stewart Center by staff from the Purdue Center for Career Opportunities. Staff from the Purdue Dual Career Assistance Office, Purdue Alumni Association, Indiana Department of Workforce Development-Lafayette and Tecumseh Area Partnership-Lafayette also will be in attendance to visit with job seekers.
Deb Waymire, Lafayette Workforce Development director, said her organization welcomes working with Purdue to spur economic development and job growth.
"We've always had a great partnership with Purdue that has helped us place employees with several new and growing businesses," Waymire said. "With Connecting Indiana II, we can accomplish even more in just one day."
Alysa Rollock, Purdue vice president for human relations, said Purdue recognizes that many professionals continue to find it challenging to find positions that allow them to remain in Indiana or return.
"A fair number of Purdue alumni working out of state would be thrilled to return home if they could find appropriate employment," Rollock said. "Our goal is to realize those dreams by making the job hunting process as easy and efficient as possible."
Tari Alper, relocation specialist for Purdue's Dual Career Assistance Program, said her office works with many white-collar workers who followed their newly employed spouse to Indiana.
"These professionals spend months scouring classified ads and arranging interviews," Alper said. "We want to help them update their skills and find positions that suit their education and experience."
Connecting Indiana II is funded by a joint grant through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development-Lafayette and the Tecumseh Area Partnership-Lafayette. It is facilitated by the Purdue Dual Career Assistance Program.
Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu
Sources: Victor L. Lechtenberg, (765) 494-9095, vll@purdue.edu
Alysa Rollock, (765) 494-5830, arollock@purdue.edu
Tari Alper, (765) 494-6366, tlalper@purdue.edu
Deb Waymire, (765) 474-5411, dwaymire@dwd.state.in.us
Roger Feldhaus, Tecumseh Area Partnership director, (765) 477-1710, rfeldhaus@tap.lafayette.in.us
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Victor L. Lechtenberg, Purdue vice provost for engagement; Alysa Rollock, Purdue vice president for human relations; and Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski will speak at the Employer Kick-Off Brunch at 10 a.m. in the West Faculty Lounge on the second floor of the Purdue Memorial Union. To make arrangements for interviews, video and photographs, contact Marydell Forbes, Purdue News Service, at (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu.
Related Web sites:
Purdue University Office of Engagement
PHOTO CAPTION:
Margaret Titus, at right, representing the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, goes over the resume of River Karner, of Muncie, Ind. Karner was among those attending Purdue's second annual white-collar job fair, Connecting Indiana II, on Thursday (May 26). The fair was sponsored by the Purdue Dual Career Assistance Program in conjunction with the Tecumseh Area Partnership and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development's Lafayette WorkOne office. Representatives from 36 companies throughout Indiana, including several high-tech companies from the Purdue Research Park, were at the Purdue Memorial Union to accept resumes from job-seeking professionals. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
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