ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 17, 1997 TAG: 9704170062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER THE ROANOKE TIMES
Nearly 350 high school seniors went looking for work at the jobs convention.
When Autumn Ferris graduates from Northside High School in June, she wants to become a mortuary cosmetologist. She'd like to manicure the nails, style the hair and put cosmetics on the faces of corpses.
Ferris didn't find her job Wednesday, but many high school seniors from the Roanoke area got good job leads - and some were offered positions.
Michael Andrews, a student at Patrick Henry High who has taken electronics courses, got a job on the spot with a fabrics company.
Teresa Tincher, a Northside senior, was encouraged about her chances of getting an office position in a bank. Matt Compton, a Cave Spring High senior, checked out the possibility of becoming a part-time disc jockey for country music radio station WJLM (93.5 FM), better known as J-93.
Nearly 350 students - mostly seniors who don't plan to attend college - participated in the jobs convention in the Roanoke Civic Center exhibit hall. Sixty businesses and agencies - large and small, private and public, local and regional - had booths at the convention. Military recruiters also were there to outline opportunities in the armed services.
Most of the seniors have taken vocational courses and are searching for jobs after graduation. They tried to impress the prospective employers. Many of the boys wore shirts and ties, with some in coats. The girls wore neat dresses or skirts and blouses.
The students came from Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke, Botetourt and Craig counties.
Many filled out application forms. Others talked with representatives from businesses and public agencies. Still others collected brochures on businesses and job offerings.
"These are students with marketable skills who are looking for full-time employment," said Jean Holbrook, supervisor for business education for Roanoke County schools. "We try to connect up the students with the businesses and agencies."
The convention has grown steadily since it was started seven years ago, Holbrook said.
Ferris, who has studied cosmetology in school, said she didn't find anyone who was looking for a mortuary beautician. No funeral homes or beauty shops were represented.
Ferris got interested in beautifying and preparing corpses as she studied cosmetology. She would like to get a full-time job working with the dead, but she said it might be tough to find one.
Ferris and Gina Arnold, a friend who also has taken cosmetology, said they talked with temporary job companies about work.
Chris Burch, a senior at Lord Botetourt High who has studied marketing, talked with Air Force recruiters about a career in business administration. He said the Air Force would pay 75 percent of his college costs if he signs up for four years.
"I'm considering all of my options, but it seems to be a good deal," Burch said.
Holbrook said many students have used the jobs convention as a springboard for a career.
Shannon Underwood, who attended the convention when he was a senior at Lord Botetourt in 1991, returned Wednesday in a different role: He talked with students about job opportunities with his employer.
Underwood, a division manager with Advance Auto Parts, said he was first introduced to the company at the convention when he was a senior.
"This is a great opportunity for the students to meet us face to face," he said. "It helps us to get to know them and get a feel for them before they come in for an interview."
Advance representatives expected to talk with about 75 students Wednesday, Underwood said. "We're always looking for good people."
Representatives for R R Donnelley & Sons, one of the Roanoke Valley's newest companies, also talked with students about potential jobs.
The book printing company, which will begin operations at its new Roanoke County plant next month, is still looking for about 60 employees, said Michael Higgins, human resources facilitator.
Fewer students stopped by Donnelley's booth than company officials hoped, but Higgins said that was not surprising because it is new to the valley and does not have high name recognition.
Many students visited the booths of some of the larger employers, such as Carilion Health System and First Union National Bank.
"There is a false perception that Carilion is not hiring, but our needs are diverse," said Mary Garland, a career planning specialist with Carilion.
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: CINDY PINKSTON THE ROANOKE TIMES. 1. Louanne Semonesby CNB(left), a district manager for Hardee's, talks with Michelle Knapp
about a management trainee program. color. 2. CINDY PINKSTON THE
ROANOKE TIMES. Gabe Boitnott (left) of Manpower Inc. talks with
Jason Coffey, 18, of Covington about job opportunities. The James
River senior was looking for a job that would give him experience in
computer-aided drafting.