CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hundreds of job seekers descended on the state Culture Center Wednesday for a state agency job fair. Seventeen state agencies took part in the day-long event sponsored by the Division of Personnel and WorkForce West Virginia.
Alysha Williams of Big Chimney visited several of the booths set up around the grand hall. She has a degree, now she said she needs a job to go with it.
“I recently graduated from college in February and I’m having a really hard time (finding a job).”
John Rymer, a senior personnel specialist with the state, said the state usually has about 40 employment opportunities on an average day. Those jobs can vary widely.
“The state hires groundskeepers to hospital administrators and everything in between,” according to Rymer.
With Williams degree in medical office administration, she was qualified for several jobs at the fair according to Rymer.
“An office assistant could work in any of these agencies. So you just don’t know. You just have to nose around and see what’s there,” he stressed.
Darren Mowrey of Elkview has a job but he was at the fair looking for a new position.
“I’m searching for a better career, looking for a change in my life,” he explained. “I’m looking for a job to better support my family.”
In this tough economy, Edward Mucklow of Charleston was hoping to find something in his field and soon.
“I’ve been out of work for about a year now.”
That’s not uncommon among those looking for a job. Rymer said if you have the right attitude and are willing to try something that may not be exactly what your looking for, you could find a career with the state.