Two hundred students gathered to market themselves to 50 employers Feb. 7 at the Education Career Fair, hosted by the Department of Career Planning and Development.
The career fair, the first of five planned for this semester, invited Kennesaw State University students to speak to employers from the education career field. Employers at the event ranged from the massive Cobb County School District to smaller private employers, like the Knowledge is Power Program.
KIPP Talent Manager Tim DeBruyne, who was on the waiting list for the event, showed up in hopes that another employer had canceled.
“Our school leaders have been really happy with the hires from Kennesaw,” DeBruyne said. “So we really wanted to be here.”
He said that KIPP hires between 75 and 100 teachers each year.
Rattana Inthirathvongsy, the director of Employment Services at the Cobb County School District, said that his district was looking to hire 900-1200 teachers this year.
Event organizers encouraged students to come to the event dressed in formal attire with as many resumes or portfolios as possible. Some employers, however, claimed that professionalism wasn’t necessarily their first concern.
“We’re looking for someone who is spirited and very passionate about teaching children,” said Alex Hall, who works in the human resources department of the Rockdale County Board of Education. “We really want those people where we can see the passion. When they’re talking to us we really want to see that twinkle in their eye when they are talking about kids.”
Even though the career fair was focused on education majors, most employers said that they were looking to hire more than just teachers.
“I’m not a teacher. I’m in HR,” Hall said. “I’m a supporting role, so they need people like me.”
Ryan Whifield, the assistant director of Employment Relations at KSU, said that, although many career fairs are major-driven, some employers may be hiring for other areas, too.
“Right now the education career fair is focused on students who either want to work for a school system or are getting a degree in education,” Whitfield said. “We also have school systems that want to hire IT people, marketing people or other support, so these schools would love to talk to those students as well.”
The fair’s attendees ranged from junior education majors to graduate students. Students hoped to get an idea of what to expect when they start applying and getting interviews. Laila Bacha, who is pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, believes career fairs are helpful even for graduate students, though she feels KSU faculty could do a better job of preparing students for the event.
“I would prefer if I received an email that said some counties are interviewing,” she said. Bacha is hoping to teach high school after earning her degree.
Information on the other career fairs offered by the Department of Career Planning and Development can be found on its page of the KSU website. Every career fair is open to students of all majors.
