(Bluefield)— The 21st annual Spring Job Fair at Bluefield State College will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Ned E. Shott Gymnasium.  The event is a collaborative project that welcomes college students and graduates from Bluefield State College, Concord University, Bluefield College, New River Community and Technical College (NRCTC), Southwest Virginia Community College, Wytheville Community College, and all other local and regional colleges and universities. It is designed to provide an opportunity for individuals pursuing career interests to meet and discuss options with potential future employers.  Businesses and organizations can participate in the event, free of charge, but are required to pre-register (see details below).

"Last year’s Job Fair attracted the highest number of recruiters in the 20-year history of the event,” noted Tom Harrison, BSC’s Director of Career Services. “The Job Fair brings employment opportunities to students approaching graduation, along with recent graduates. It also provides a laboratory-type learning experience for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who get to meet and talk to prospective employers."

Each student taking part in the Job Fair received a vendors’ map, noting the location of each recruiting organization, as well as the academic areas of emphasis sought by each recruiting organization.

Harrison observed that approximately a dozen students who meet with prospective employers at prior Job Fairs returned during future years in the role of recruiters for the organizations with which they are now employed. He also expressed special appreciation to each collaborating institution for its assistance. “Many people worked together to make this event happen,” he said.

To date, the following businesses and organizations have registered to participate in the event:

1. ABB, INC.
2. AMERICAN GENERAL FINANCE
3. AMERICAN MINE RESEARCH (AMR)
4. BB&T
5. BIRTH TO THREE PROGRAM
6. BUCYRUS AMERICA, INC.
7. CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG POLICE
8. COUNCIL ON AGING/ALL CARE HOME COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC.
9. DANVILLE (VA) PUBLIC SCHOOLS
10. DISHNETWORK (ECHOSTAR)
11. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI)
12. FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS US PENITENTIARY AT LEE COUNTY VA
13. FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTES (FCI BECKLEY AND WELCH)
14. FEDERAL PRISON CAMP (FPC ALDERSON)
15. FIRST COMMUNITY BANK
16. JOY MINING MACHINERY
17. KING COLLEGE GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM (@ SVCC)
18. MCDOWELL COUNTY CORRECTIONS
19. MERCER NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER
20. MTC TRANSFORMERS
21. OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY GRADUATE PROGRAMS (@ SVCC)
22. PREFERRED HOME HEALTH
23. PRINCETON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
24. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF WEST VIRGINIA
25. PYOTT BOONE ELECTRONICS
26. SAUNDERS STAFFING
27. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
28. TERRADON CORPORATION
29. THOMPSON & LITTON
30. TSM CORPORATION
31. US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
32. VIRGINIA STATE POLICE
33. VIRGINIA TECH
34. WELLMONT HEALTH SYSTEM
35. WORKFORCE WEST VIRGINIA
36. WV AIR NATIONAL GUARD
37. WV ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
38. WV DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES (DHHR)
39. WV DEPARTMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION
40. WV STATE POLICE
41. WVVA TELEVISION, INC.

Businesses and organizations interested in attending this year’s Job Fair are asked to contact Tom Harrison, BSC’s Director of Career Services (304) 327-4011, tharrison@bluefieldstate.edu) by Monday, April 6.