Job And Career Fair Sees Light Turnout, Several Opportunities Still Available

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

April 19, 2022

The Central CT Chambers of Commerce’s Job and Career Fair saw light turnout among job applicants, leaving several local job opportunities still available.

The Job and Career Fair was held at DoubleTree by Hilton and had 32 vendors from a variety of career fields. Job seekers trickled in throughout the all-day event, with many of them being college students trying to decide on their path.

“We had a lot of awesome vendors, but the job seekers were a little light,” said Cindy Bombard, president and CEO of the Central CT Chambers of Commerce around 2 p.m. Thursday. “We’re hoping things pick up a bit later this afternoon. We’re doing the best we can to connect people looking for jobs with the jobs that are available.”

Emily Cavanaugh, a senior at Central Connecticut State University, began an internship with The Jackson Laboratory in January and stopped at their table at the job fair Thursday.

“I’m not exactly certain about my career path – I’ve thought about government and community relations and counseling,” she said. “My internship with Jackson labs has been going well. I’ve been getting on the job experience with bill tracking and community outreach.”

Cynthia LeGault, senior talent acquisition partner with The Jackson Laboratory, said that the internships are a “great opportunity” for students to get insight into what a career at The Jackson Laboratory would look like.

“We have openings for more than 200 jobs right now,” she said. “But, this is because we are continuing to grow. We were still hiring during covid when a lot of other places were laying off. That is because we were doing a lot of the state covid testing. We also tried to not let people go when covid numbers went down, but to have jobs lined up for them in other areas.”

Alyssa Prozzo, a student at Fairfield University, came to the Job and Career Fair intending to speak to the Connecticut Department of Labor, the Barnes Group and Loureiro Engineering.

“I’m an environmental studies major and ever since elementary school, science has been my passion,” she said. “I started out in engineering and found out that wasn’t for me. I like nature and I want to do what I can to help out with global warming and climate change.”

Rachael Anders, talent acquisition manager with Loureiro Engineering spoke with Prozzo and took a copy of her resume. She said that Loureiro Engineering is seeking to fill several positions.

“We’re looking for architects, estimators, surveyors, carpenters, equipment operators and acquisitions specialists,” she said. “We’re sort of a one stop shop today. We have an environmental division. After she (Prozzo) graduates in May, she might be a good intern for an entry-level environmental scientist position.”

Kristina Smith, regional recruiter with First Student, said that she came to the Job and Career Fair looking to hire bus drivers in the Bristol area. She said that she spoke to two applicants for part-time positions.

“We have wages starting at $23 an hour,” she said. “Applicants have to be at least 21, they have to have had their license for at least three years and they have to have a clean driving history.”

Bombard encouraged those who were unable to make the job fair, but who are still seeking jobs, to call her at 860-584-4718. From there, she said she will contact vendors they are interested in.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.