Students Seek Employment at Big Vanilla Job Fair

Despite a low turnout by employers, school representatives were still confident of the value of the second annual summer job fair held on Wednesday at Big Vanilla Pasadena for students from Chesapeake and Northeast High Schools.

Four employers - McDonald's, Anne Arundel County Parks and Recreation, DRD Pools and Continental Pools were present at the event. All but Parks and Recreation had jobs available, while Parks and Recreation is experiencing an hiring freeze and offered volunteer positions that may lead into employement once the freeze is over. The event was free of charge.

"Big Vanilla is awesome," said Michele Devine with Chesapeake High School. "They allow us to use the community room for many different events. They set up tables, they're great."

"We were kind of disappointed in the employers because a lot of them take applications online," said Jacqui Dunn with Northeast High School. "A lot of them didn't show up tonight."

Parents weren't allowed to join their kids in meeting the employers. Instead, Big Vanilla representatives introduced them to the fitness club if they weren't already members.

"Think about it, if your child is interviewing for a job, they're going by themselves," said Dunn. "They're not going with Mom or Dad. It's important that they experience that realism too."

"I think this is a good thing," said Randall Piakard, a senior at Chesapeake High School, who added that he was most interested in working with Anne Arundel County Parks and Recreation. I need a job for college next year. I've been looking forever, since last Spring."