Job seekers navigated through rows of prospective employers stationed at tables with pamphlets, listings of job openings and candy at the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Job Fair.
Kenneth Nwume took a pause near the entrance of the fair held Aug. 25 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
“I’m just surveying and looking around,” he said. “Looking for something that draws my interest. Some of these people I’ve spoken to before.”
He previously worked for a state agency under a contract and was tasked with creating e-learning courses using Adobe Captivate, a design software.
“I built them from scratch,” he said. “It’s kind of a niche field. So, I’m looking for something along those lines.”
Nwume graduated from University of Illinois Springfield with a master’s in public administration and a certificate in human resource management.
The Nigerian native said he’s interested in staying in the capital city.
“Springfield – it’s a good place,” he said. “It’s affordable, it’s quiet. And, so far, the people are nice.”
Several individuals Illinois Times spoke with were recent arrivals to the city who were attracted to its affordability but were now seeking more financial stability.
Martin Holman said he’s from Chicago and moved to the city with help of family connections. He wants to find a position as a certified nursing assistant.
“I’ve been a CNA for 10 years,” Holman said.
He stood in line at the table for Springfield Memorial Hospital, where a couple of people ahead of him were waiting to speak with the recruiter. Healthcare is Springfield’s second-largest industry, after the state, and several healthcare facilities were represented at the job fair.
Behind Holman stood Aidan DeSalle, a recent graduate from University of Missouri with a major in microbiology and a minor in chemistry. He’s pursuing jobs with several of the city’s health centers as a laboratory technician.
“I want to get more lab experience and work for a year,” he said. “And then apply to graduate school.”
Dan Filla was scouting for work on behalf of his daughter-in law, who will be moving back to the city with his son.
“Most of the places have QR codes or websites where you can go to find out what the current jobs actually are,” Filla said.”So it’s very handy. I can transmit that back to her while she’s still in Arizona.”
Sophia Purderiou graduated from UIS in December with a degree in management information systems.
She’s been seeking jobs in business and IT. She said landing a position “has been kind of tough, but I’m looking forward to the opportunities from here.” Purderiou added she appreciated making connections in-person.
Helping Hands of Springfield, a nonprofit which provides support for people experiencing homelessness, was one of more than 40 exhibitors on hand. A staff member sat with an applicant at an interview table located at the back of the hall.
Stan Johnson, Helping Hands’ director of human resources, said having conversation serves to screen the applicants, but no decisions are made on the spot.
“Shelter specialists have to have a certain type of communication skills and personality because of the people, the clientele that we have,” he said.
A mother with her teenage daughter at her shoulder weaved their way through the aisles stopping by some booths and moving past others.
“Wer’e just looking around, seeing what’s available,” said Jeannine Judd. “Anything to better ourselves.”