NORFOLK, Neb. – Northeast Community College students had opportunities recently to explore some job opportunities and internships during a pair of job fairs on campus.
Northeast hosted a Transportation Job Fair at the Diesel Building and a Wind Energy Career Fair later that same January week.
At least 40 employers attended the Transportation Job Fair, exchanging information with students during the event.
“We have a little bit of everything,” said Jesse Sloser, Northeast diesel technology instructor. “We have automotive, auto body, ag equipment and diesel trucks.”
The Transportation Fair has been going on for years, with a goal to try and increase the number of employers each year. Some of the employers were from Norfolk and northeast Nebraska, while others came from as far as Geneva, Lincoln, Omaha, Sioux City, Iowa, Yankton, S.D., and the Sioux Falls, S.D., area.
“We had a lot of good feedback this year about how well our students are engaged with (the possible employers),” Sloser said.
Terri Heggemeyer, director of Career Services, said the collaboration between career services and faculty is key to making the career fairs successful.
"Together, we work to prepare students for their internships and careers. The faculty educate students in preparation in pursuing their career goals, while my team provides logistical support and networking opportunities to connect the students with employers,” she said.
"Career fairs are an invaluable opportunity for our students to connect directly with potential employers and gain firsthand insight into industry opportunities. Having employers on our campus allows students to engage in meaningful conversations, build their professional networks, and explore a range of career paths— all in one place. It’s an essential part of preparing them for the transition from academics to the workforce," Heggemeyer said.
The Wind Technology Job Fair put Northeast students in touch with three possible employers. Wind Energy Instructors Aaron Hoffmann and Isaiah Skrdla were among the Northeast faculty and administrators on hand.
Skrdla said wind energy is one of those fields where every graduate can find a job immediately upon graduation, with “essentially 100% placement.”
“The graduates from our program get jobs,” Skrdla said. “They get internships between their freshman and sophomore years. They are well-paid internships, and a lot of times internships lead to jobs.”
Skrdla was part of the first class of wind energy students in Northeast in 2008-09. There is a wealth of information available on the Northeast wind energy program, as well as other programs on the Northeast website.
Transportation Job Fair
Northeast Community College students majoring in fields from auto body to diesel technology attended a Transportation Job Fair where they met with more than 40 employers to learn about job and internship possibilities. (Northeast Community College)
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