BUIES CREEK, North Carolina – North Carolina public school districts made up a large chunk of the nearly 80 employers and graduate programs at Campbell University’s annual Spring Career & Professional Fair on Wednesday, and many of them were in the market for new graduates to fill open teaching positions.
Those students who came prepared — well-dressed, questions at the ready and resume in hand — were more likely to catch their eye and will most likely hear back from schools in Harnett, Moore, Randolph, Carteret or the other counties in attendance very soon.
“We even had a student who isn’t graduating until next year hand us a resume,” said Barbara Mullen, representing Franklin County Schools at Wednesday’s event at the Pope Convocation Center.
“Others weren’t quite as prepared. Many were not aware of the online application with the Department of Public Instruction [required of public school applicants].”
For many seniors, the annual fair is a great way to get their name out to leading regional companies and agencies in their fields of study. Graduation is still a few months away, so while the clock is ticking for many soon to enter the real world, it’s by no means “panic” time when it comes to landing that first job.
“The only pressure I’m feeling is from my parents,” said senior Kathryn Phillips, one of the many on hand taking advantage of the swell of school districts on campus. A future teacher, Phillips said the time is right for her to get serious about finding post-graduate work. “I feel like these schools are here because Campbell is a great school for those of us in education. We have a strong program here, and we’re already represented well teaching in schools throughout the state.”
Graduate programs from Campbell and other universities, Triangle-based research companies, military and police departments also were well represented with tables at Wednesday’s fair.
Officer Pamela Shackleford from the Durham Police Department said she was impressed by the students who had already researched her department and showed interest in DPD’s student internship program.
“Campbell has a great criminal justice program, and while that’s not required for law enforcement, they’re getting good training,” she said.
A complete list of this year’s exhibitors can be found at https://www.campbell.edu/student-services/career-services/campbell-university-spring-career-professional-fair/
— Story by Billy Liggett; photos by Lynsey Trembly