While it's not as large as the Job & Internship Fair held each semester at Longwood, some of the opportunities at the Local Employer Showcase are just as exciting for students who want to engage themselves locally in the community. A well-received turnout was observed for this year's fair, the second annual, held Thursday, March 29 in Blackwell Hall. The Academic & Career Advising Center (ACAC) sponsored the event.
More than a dozen employers were on hand to search for students interested in the opportunities they had to offer. They included the Prince Edward Country Visitor Center, Antscape Photo and Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park.
Many of the employers did not come to the event last year. Some of the employers talked about what they had available for students as well as what they want to see in prospective applicants.
Blair Potts is chair of the Heart of Virginia Festival, an annual event that will take place Saturday, May 5, 2012. Potts is looking for an intern for the festival that will be in its 35th year next May. The board for the festival is seeking an intern to work with the board director on both logistical and organization issues, assist with the development and execution of various communication strategies such as social media and website work and help with marketing and public relations overall.
Potts said he would prefer a junior student work as the intern as they are probably more adapted to the Farmville area. "I want somebody that loves what they are doing and the field they are in," he added. The intern will also work with the Downtown Revitalization Committee to help promote and support the Town of Farmville, where the festival is held each year.
Students also could talk to representatives from Longwood, such as Sheri McGuire, executive director for the Longwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Farmville Office, and Gary Shanaberger, business analyst for the SBDC. The two are looking for an intern to help assist with counseling and provide technical assistance to clients with small businesses. Students in outlying areas around suboffices in Petersburg, South Boston, Martinsville and Danville, Va. can also apply for the internship.
"We are interested in a wide range of students," McGuire said. She said students interested in business, communication or technology are great candidates. Shanaberger said the internship is also a great way to network with people. "You will be meeting different people in the community," he said. "That can help you in the future as well."
One of the groups in town many students help with was also at the event. Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity Assistant Director Jasper Hendricks III has only been on the job for a few weeks but he said he loves what he's doing. "We're really looking to increase our brand," said Hendricks. Some of the work an intern will be doing is quite creative, Hendricks explained. Currently, the habitat ReStore location off of South Main St. in town is looking for an intern to help post items on the Internet to sell through an online bidding website.
"We're getting people from across the country who are asking for items," said Hendricks. The items the ReStore sells benefits Habitat for Humanity build sites. He said the organization is growing and the open opportunities are an exciting step for students.
Sarah Hobgood, assistant director for the ACAC, said from the student evaluations of the event, it seemed students made use of their time and talked to all of the employers there. She said there was a great deal of good news that came out of the showcase. Monday; an employer had an interview with a candidate. "These local businesses are great opportunities for students," said Hobgood.
Senior Ashley Bowles networks with a potential employer at the annual Local Employer Showcase.
