School, life and work can be a tricky balance, but events such as the Northeast Community College part-time job fair help students to find employers who will work with them to reach that equilibrium.
Nearly 50 employers representing a diversity of jobs — and even career opportunities — were on hand for the annual event at the Lifelong Learning Center. Students and employers got together to discuss the opportunities and their expectations, finding out what makes sense for both.
Terri Heggemeyer, director of Northeast’s career services, said the goal of the part-time job fair was to help Northeast students make a connection within the local and regional economies.
“We have everything from a company looking for individuals to help with social media to a company that wants to do graphic design,” Heggemeyer said. “We have agriculture, nursing, food service, manufacturing and service industries. Really, there is a job here for any student looking for a job related to their major.”
The job fair was typical of the turnout. With around 50 employers, the fair enabled students to talk to professionals and ask questions, which helps them to learn about the opportunities for them.
Alexis Larsen of Home Instead of Norfolk, which helps seniors stay in their homes, said it has a variety of openings but likes to hire nursing students.
“They offer that compassion and care for our clients,” Larsen said. “They usually provide a perfect match.”
Home Instead has part-time and full-time openings and works with students’ schedules.
“We are super flexible,” Larsen said. “We know with students how hard it can be to balance everything with work and school.”
Full-time workers put in at least 35 hours, and part-time workers usually work at least 26 hours weekly. Home Instead has been successful in the past hiring quality workers from the job fair. The firm matches clients and caregivers.
The duties vary depending on the care the client needs. Some clients need someone to talk to and to do things with, while others need help getting up, getting dressed and taking their medications.
“It’s a rewarding job because you build close relationships,” Larsen said. “They become like a part of your family.”
Home Instead has locations around Northeast Nebraska, with offices in Norfolk and Columbus, and other nearby areas, including Hartington and Coleridge. Part-time students have gone on to have full-time careers with the company.
Jeffrey Steffen, general manager of WJAG Radio in Norfolk, said his family of stations also has had good luck finding part-time help.
“I like coming to this first one in the fall because if they are just freshmen, it is an opportunity to get in front of them,” Steffen said. “If the students are from out of town, it is a good opportunity to at least get them familiar with local media.”
Northeast offers another career fair in the spring. Steffen said the station looks at students beyond just broadcasting majors.
“It (broadcasting) is a small group anyway, maybe 15 or so students,” he said. “And that’s over two years. That number will fluctuate, but it is a specialized area. We like to have a certain skillset. If they have that, we can train people to do what we do.”
Depending on the students, the work can be something that they do on the side. Others make it a career. Years ago, Steffen said he met a young student who wasn’t a broadcasting major but expressed interest. Steffen said he set up an air check with her.
“She showed up and did a great job,” he said. “So we gave her a chance and started her off slow. Within a few months, she had her own show. She has since graduated, got married and now has her own family in Iowa. She is working full time in radio over there. You never know.”
