Looking For Work at the MCC Summer Job Fair

"We just need jobs," said Jenny Garcia, summing up the thoughts of pretty much everyone who showed up to Manchester Community College's Summer Job Fair Wednesday. 

Held in MCC's Arts, Sciences, and Technology rotunda and featuring 10 different businesses, the fair gave students and community residents the opportunity to apply for jobs and get information on potential employment. The businesses who attended were Girl Scouts of CT, the Home Depot, Mary Kay Skin Care, Brialee RV and Tent Park, the Salvation Army Camp Connri, Verizon Wireless, Oakleaf Waste Management, Valet Park of America, Companions and Homemakers, and Horizons, Inc.

Some of the booths handed out freebies, like stress balls and waterbottles, while others handed out applications and information.

Garcia and her friend Sindinar Colon showed up early to grab applications before anyone else. Neither women had attended a job fair before, but were hoping to strike gold at this one.

"I decided to get a summer job so it could prepare me to go to college next year," said Colon, who is currently a student at Great Path Academy. Colon said that she is looking for a job that won't interfere with her school work but will also help her save for her higher education.

Garcia, on the other hand, is hoping to get hired as soon as possible. The mother of a three-year-old son, Garcia came to the job fair looking to become more self-reliant.

"I'm looking for a job in general," said Garcia, who is a student at MCC. "I'm trying to be more independent."

The two women got a lot of information from the fair, but no solid job offers.

 "They said they'd call us," Garcia said.

Marie Burley of East Hartford was in the same situation. After being unemployed for some time, Burley was just trying to get out there and get applications, whether it was for the summer or sooner.

"It's good to get some paper work," said Burley. "I've been unemployed for two years now."

Burley said that when she heard of the MCC fair she decided immediately to go. Though she has not had  success at job fairs in the past, she thought she would try her luck at this one.

"I've been to a couple job fairs, but most of them were a manual labor type of thing," said Burley. "I'm not looking for that."

While Burley was having a hard time finding concrete offers, Richard Serrano was doing very well at the fair. Serrano, a student at MCC, managed to land an interview Wednesday, though he wasn't necessarily in need of a job.

"I'm looking to get out of my job to get a better job," said Serrano. "Something that pays better."

Serrano said that even though he found luck getting an interview, that usually doesn't happen at job fairs. After attending fairs before, Serrano said that there's more to gaining employment than just visiting a booth.

"Job fairs help sometimes," said Serrano. "It's good for getting information but, you know, basically you have to go out there and get it for yourself."

While Serrano may have the luxury of choosing between different jobs, not everyone is as lucky. Most who attended the fair, when asked where they were hoping to get a job, just said "anywhere."