Howard Community College

10 Howard Community College "By having job fairs, HCC is giving companies like ours a great opportunity to get out in the community and build relationships." STUDENTS Career Counseling • Assessment • Interview Coaching • Resume Support • Job Guidance EMPLOYER Job Fairs • Internships • Career Panels • Placement • Job Postings HCC'S Counseling and Career Services Center construction company. "Internships are so important because they really give you a chance to gain experience that will stand out on your resume. I recently introduced my fiancé to the career center team and they helped her find an internship too!" Companies of all sizes, representing a diverse range of industries in Howard County, are familiar with the strength and comprehensive nature of HCC's academic programs and know that the college is an ideal place to turn for well-trained, well- rounded prospects. Companies that are recruiting are encouraged to post internships and part- and full-time positions on HCC Job Connection, participate in the HCC job fairs, and engage with students through on- campus recruitment opportunities. Stephanie Clark, who serves as human resources (HR) coordinator for the Center for Social Change, located in Elkridge, Md., participated in the job fair that was held on campus during the fall 2015 semester. While she typically is in search of employees to fill clinical positions for her organization, which offers services for individuals with mental disabilities, most recently, she was looking for a new staffer to support HR functions. She found exactly what she was looking for when JD Sassafrass, an HCC student focused on a business management career track, approached her table. "We wanted to see some fresh faces and make new connections," said Clark. "I needed to hire an HR assistant and JD was a good fit. We brought him on board and have reduced our job vacancies from 33 to 12, so he is obviously doing a great job for us. I will be attending the next job fair, for sure." As much as Sassafrass was a good fit for the Center for Social Change, the company has also been a good fit for him. "I went to the job fair to explore career options and I met Stephanie," said Sassafrass. "By hiring me, she inspired me and gave me confidence. Everything came together for me because I attended that job fair." Jessica Ward, who serves as an operations assistant for Howard Tech Advisors, is another fan of HCC's job fairs; so much that she attends every fall and spring, whether she has job vacancies to fill or not. "By having job fairs, HCC is giving companies like ours a great opportunity to get out in the

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