Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504270046
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Lisa Johnson went job hunting Wednesday and had plenty of places to look. She had the opportunity to talk with nearly 60 businesses and public employers.
The senior at Lord Botetourt High School chose to meet with representatives from the Honeytree Learning Center, Salem schools and several businesses.
Johnson, 16, is searching for a job in the child-care field or marketing. She did not get a job commitment, but she got several leads and encouragement.
Nearly 300 seniors from five school systems in the Roanoke area participated in the job opportunities convention.
The employers - big and small, private and public, regional and local - set up booths in the Roanoke Civic Center exhibit hall and staffed them.
Most of the seniors have taken vocational courses and are searching for jobs when they graduate in June. Before Wednesday's convention, the schools sent biographical and educational data about each student to the employers, with information on courses, skills, work experience and job objectives.
"Our purpose is to connect up the students to the businesses and agencies," said Jean Holbrook, supervisor of business education for Roanoke County.
"These are seniors who have marketable skills and are looking for jobs."
The students were bused in from Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt County, Craig County and Roanoke County.
They tried to impress the prospective employers. The boys wore shirts and ties, with some in coats. The girls wore neat dresses or skirts and blouses. There were no jeans or slacks.
Some filled out application forms; others talked with representatives from businesses and public agencies.
Clarice Owens of Patrick Henry High School wants a job as a data-entry clerk or another computer position.
Owens, 18, got encouragement from Bright Services, a firm that employs data-entry clerks.
"They said they will get back to me. I also talked to some other firms," she said.
Sean Bethel of William Byrd is looking for a job in advertising or commercial art. He talked with Advance Auto and Kroger representatives.
Bethel, 17, also talked with recruiters for the Marines and Navy, who told him that the military services have their own graphic arts and printing operations.
"They want me to make an appointment to talk with them later," he said. "I might consider the military."
Bethel is working part-time for a printing company and can switch to full-time after he graduates in June if he doesn't have another job lined up.
Laura Liakos of Patrick Henry discovered that one business already had highlighted her name on its list of students.
"That made me feel good. I'm looking for something in accounting," said Liakos, 18. She talked with representatives for W.W. Boxley Co., Central Fidelity Bank, Virginia Credit Union League and others.
Many students stopped at the booths for Carilion Health System and First Union National Bank, two of the larger employers in the valley. They were told about the companies' application process and types of jobs.
"We point out that we have jobs other than clinical positions that are available," said Margaret Hamilton, a representative for Carilion.
More than 15 students stopped at the booth of country music radio station J 93.5-FM to see what might be available. They got to talk with the top man at the station, Lloyd Gochenour, owner and general manager.
"I tell the students that they've got to know computers. If you don't know computers now, you're lost," he said.
Military recruiters stayed busy talking with boys and girls who have an interest in the armed services.
"We've talked to quite a few young people and scheduled appointments for later to discuss their interest," said Marine Staff Sgt. Wayne Young. "We have over 300 jobs to choose from."
Kerry Sirry of Northside High School is looking for a job as a welder or machinist, but he is willing to consider other positions. He was told that some companies will consider his application.
Few students seemed choosy about starting salaries.
"Anything that is above the minimum wage would be OK," said David Smith of Lord Botetourt High School, who hopes to get a job with a moving company.
Kenny Wheeler of Patrick Henry said he's more concerned about getting a job, possibly as a mechanic, than the starting salary.
Some students talked with representatives for fast-food restaurants and were told that many restaurant jobs are immediately available.
"We have all types of jobs, including management positions, that are open," said Mike Hightower, district manager for Hardee's.
But banks, health care facilities, public agencies, military services and retailers attracted the most attention.
by CNB