Douglas College career fair matches jobs to job seekers

A Douglas College career fair held Wednesday to match jobs to job seekers was well attended ? and it wasn't only students who showed up at David Lam Campus.
Among the college-age students and grads at the Coquitlam campus were older professionals from Iran and Russia looking to break into the job market, said alumni relations co-ordinator Andrew Senjack, who said the fair drew a large contingent of new immigrants as well as young people and even Grade 12 students.
The mix of job seekers shows how competitive the job market is, he said, but the good news is there were a lot of companies, non-profits and public agencies seeking employees.
"I noticed a lot of companies really active in coming to the career fair this time," said Senjack, who said the previous two years' turnout was less stellar due to a sluggish economy. At a career fair held at the New Westminster campus on Monday, for example, there was a waiting list of businesses that wanted to attend.
Employers ranged from landscaping firms looking for summer placements to health care agencies looking for professionals such as therapeutic recreation workers and nurses graduating from the college's health sciences programs.
A number of financial services and accounting associations, such as the Certified General Accountants Association, also attended the career fair looking to scoop up business students.
But for one marketing student, the job market is looking increasingly bleak. Pouria Mafi of Coquitlam said he has been looking for a sales and marketing job or internship for the last two months and hasn't received a bite despite sending out dozens of resumes and portfolios.
"There are just so many students looking for internships," he said. Pouria's dream job is to represent a large manufacturing company overseas but for now has settled for a job at Tim Hortons in Coquitlam. In the meantime, though, he hasn't lost hope.
"It doesn't have to be paid," he said, "I just want the experience."
For two other Douglas College students, jobs are out there but you have to work hard to get them.
Marina Wu, who is studying kinesiology, has worked for the city of Port Moody for two years as a recreational leader and said she got the job because she had good connections and experience working as a Coquitlam Sharks diving coach.
"It definitely helps who you know but you have to put yourself out there," Wu said.
Melissa Cantafio is not currently working while she pursues her studies but said the store she was working at has also closed. "I think it is more competitive," said Cantafio, who is trying to get a job as a lifeguard ? "something that pays more than minimum wage."
The two said students have to work extra hard to get work in their chosen professions but lots of minimum wage jobs are available.
dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

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