Spring Job Fair recuits students

More than 200 students interested and more than 40 companies attended

More than 46 companies lined the Mall Monday, April 18, 2016 searching for candidates seeking employment at the Spring Job Fair, according to Counselor Wendi Meckler.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Fire Department were among those that were looking to recruit students from Pierce. There are many openings with the CHP, but to be considered the applicant must be between the ages of 21 to 35, have a high school diploma and a clean background to be able to apply for the CHP, according to Officer Dave Galbrith.

Galbrith said The CHP is currently understaffed, due to specific requirements employees need to require to be hired, even though they received a lot of applications from the public.

“We’re looking for people with clean backgrounds and integrity,” Officer Dave Galbrith said. “A lot of people apply with us, but it is hard to find the right people to fill the positions that are open.”

Officer Robert Manzano was pleased that 60 students were interested in becoming an officer for the CHP.

“Today was great, we got a lot of response from students, and a lot of people that had questions about other jobs we have to offer within the CHP as well,” Manzano said.

The LAFD is currently looking to fill 18 positions. In order to be qualified to apply, a person must also have a high school diploma or a G.E.D, complete a EMT Certification class and pass a physical test.

Captain Doug Lewis encourages students to apply with the fire department, because they can be helpful to the community. Firefighters have a positive standing with every community, because they are known to help save lives. Not only from fires, but firefighters are also EMT certified, according to Lewis.

“We’re looking for people not only with integrity, but those with a higher education than normal,” Lewis said.

Meckler was pleased with the result turnout of students on Monday for the job fair. There were around 200 students that signed in for the event. Meckler hopes to bring a job fair to the school for the students every semester.

“We are trying to bring the job fairs back up every year, and I am hoping that it does keep up every semester to help the students,” Meckler said.

The turnout of Monday’s event showed success not only to the counselors at Pierce,but the representatives of the companies as well.

If this event happens every semester, it will not only be beneficial for the students who are looking for employment, but also for the companies who attend the events, as they will meet the potential candidates for their companies.