Hundreds turn out for LCC's annual job fair
Lenoir Community College held its annual job fair Wednesday at the school’s gym. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News
A wide range of opportunities were available at Lenoir Community College Wednesday.
The school held its annual job fair, with dozens of companies providing information for local seekers of employment. NCWorks Career Center Manager Samara Taft said she appreciated the turnout by both the community and participating organizations.
“We were excited to have more than 100 employers here at LCC,” Taft said. “Anyone who needed a job, whether unemployed, underemployed or looking for a career change, this was the place to be.”
Among those in attendance was Greene County resident Anthony Flowers, who said the event is definitely a positive factor.
“There are a lot of opportunities for people trying to find work,” Flowers said. “There are plenty of good people really looking to find a job and aren’t messing around.”
Kinston resident Robert Heath shared similar sentiments.
“It was great to see a lot of people and opportunities here in Kinston and Lenoir County,” Heath said.
LCC freshman Makayla Simmons said her goal was to find something in a field she’s interested in.
“I wanted to find something that suits me,” Simmons said. “I looked at a couple of stands trying to see what they had — my biggest thing was just finding something where I can stay active.”
Not everyone attending the event traveled from a local place. Ethan Green, an engineering student at N.C. State, said he wanted to prepare for life after college.
“I graduate in May, so I wanted to get that head start,” Green said.
Kiahna Johnson, a public health educator with the Lenoir County Health Department, said the job fair gave the organization an opportunity to express a want to fill vacancies.
“Last year, we didn’t have positions open,” Johnson said. “This year, we have open slots for social work and public health nursing, while also transitioning positions such as clerical support, nutritionists for WIC and lab technicians.“
Diana Craft, a health educator with the Jones County Health Department, said the organization wasn’t hiring as intensively as other participants at Wednesday’s event, but the JCHD wanted to have representation to educate the people in attendance.
“We talked about some of the services we have which could help someone get a job,” Craft said. “For example, some jobs require immunizations, so we wanted to provide information they may not have known.”
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Cody Grant said he appreciated the interaction throughout the day.
“There’s been plenty of interest and participation,” Grant said. “It’s always good for me to get out and talk to the young men and women of different organizations across Kinston and Lenoir County.”
Kyla Wimberly recently graduated from boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. four months after finishing school at Lenoir Early College and said she was excited about the future.
“I wanted to learn how to become more disciplined,” Wimberly said. “Growing up, I was more sheltered and I was ready for the challenge the Marines had to offer.”
The Marines weren’t the only out-of-town entity to be represented. Among the organizations was Franklin Baking Company from Goldsboro, as LCC felt like another great place to reach the masses.
“We normally come here every year,” HR Director Charles Brogden said. “We like to recruit in Kinston, Lenoir County and surrounding areas.”
