Career Fair & Festival draws a diverse crowd to UMM

The Reynolds Center conference room buzzed with activity last Thursday morning, as students and other community members networked with prospective employers at the University of Maine at Machias Career Fair & Festival. For the second consecutive year, UMM partnered with Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) to organize the event, which drew representatives from 18 local organizations.

Job opportunities ran the gamut: from internships for high school students, to full- or part-time entry-level positions, to careers for graduates in their fields of study. A variety of career specialties were represented, including jobs in law enforcement, biology fieldwork, recreation and human services.

Jennifer Graham, a program manager with Living Innovations, a company with a Machias office that offers support for people living with disabilities, expressed optimism about finding great candidates through networking at the event. The company has hired a number of UMM graduates, she says, and the company offers paid internships for students seeking valuable work experience on a flexible schedule.

Another enthusiastic participant was Hillary Tibbetts, an HR specialist at Machias Savings Bank. “A lot of untapped talent is in this area,” she says. “This forum helps employers find great future employees.”

She stressed the importance of making the fair open and accessible to all members of the community.

This year, over 40 high school students from the JMG High School Program also attended. In addition, employers were invited to speak in UMM classes.

Jo-Ellen Scribner, director of UMM Career Services, says she hopes to carry these new traditions on to next year’s fair, while continuing to develop innovative new ways to engage with the community.

The Career Fair & Festival is one of many professional development events sponsored by the Career & Alumni Relations Center at UMM. The university also has hosted workshops on how to develop a strong resume and practice proper interview etiquette. For more information about upcoming events and ongoing programs, contact Jo-Ellen Scribner, 255.1228.