Williamson – Your Workforce Development Partner!

“Very successful,” is how Margaret “Weemie” Kingham, placement director, described the Career Fair in the Restall Sports Center Nov. 18.

View more pictures from this event on our Facebook page.

Vendors representing 113 companies and universities attended the fair to meet with 76 seniors. A banner was displayed for the first time with the words, “Williamson: Your Workforce Development Partner,” a phrase developed by Trustee Richard Storm 6W2.

Kingham said, “I was especially impressed with the positive feeling that was in the air. I imagined the vendors driving home at the end of the fair, crossing their fingers, hoping they will be able to hire a Williamson graduate. They came to hire our graduates and will be disappointed if they don’t.”

Kingham said this is just the beginning of the job searches for the students and offered them “a taste of what’s out there” so they can further explore what companies have to offer.

All of the trades offered at Williamson were well represented by multiple companies, all with jobs to offer, with power plant technology and machine tool technology having a slight edge.

She said the fair has grown each time it is offered and did especially well this time because Williamson’s new name attracted more companies and the economy is improving.

“I was especially proud of the way the students behaved. They were polite, presented themselves well, and showed great confidence. Many of the vendors were surprised to see the students wearing jackets and ties; something they don’t see at most schools.”

Many alumni of all ages attended the fair, representing their company and there were also fewer alumni in attendance looking for work. “This means they are all gainfully employed; which is great.”

“It was nice that President Rounds, Chairman Wayne Watson, Vice Chairman Bill Bonenberger, several other trustees, and most of the faculty and many of the staff came to meet with the vendors. This sends the message that we are all working hard toward the end goal — what is best for the students.”

Kingham, who organized the fair, said it went off without a hitch because things were very well organized with the efforts of many to thank.

The next Career Fair is Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. For more information, contact Kingham at 610-566-1776, ext. 247 or mkingham@williamson.edu.