On Wednesday, July 10, Syracuse University hosted a community-based job event as part of the University’s Building Local initiative. This was the second event focused on fostering local opportunities, partnerships and business relationships. The first was a Procurement Fair held on May 21.
The goal of the event was to match job seekers from local area community job readiness agencies with hiring authorities within the University to fill numerous temporary positions in Food Services and Facilities Services. The agencies represented included: Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, the Syracuse Rescue Mission, Women’s Opportunity Center, JOBSplus and the New York State Department of Labor. These agencies provide occupational training programs and were asked to invite their clients with culinary, maintenance or administrative skills. By leveraging the agencies’ existing programs, the University is hoping to meet its upcoming labor needs for the fall semester.
More than 100 job seekers received on-the-spot interviews with hiring managers. “This event provided an opportunity to put the personal touch in Syracuse University’s hiring process to fill entry level positions,” says Sharon Cole, talent acquisition manager in the Office of Human Resources.
“This second Building Local initiative event enforces our mission on how we can work together in the Syracuse community,” says Mark Jackson, executive director of the University’s Office of Community Engagement. “It provided a solution to what to do after job training, enabling agencies to offer their clients this next step to get employed. Early returns are positive.”
Participants displayed excitement as they discussed job opportunities the University has to offer. Patricia Bailey learned about the event through her culinary arts class at Catholic Charities. Bailey wants to own a food business someday. She expressed that working for Food Services would give her the knowledge and experience needed to pursue her dream. Bailey left the event saying, “I’m ecstatic and feeling good!”
Another applicant, Levekie Beaufort, has been searching for a job for six months after her previous employer relocated its office to Rochester. “I went to the Women’s Opportunity Center, and I’m so happy that I did,” Beaufort says. “They told me about this event and now I’m hopeful that I have a job to look forward to!”
Says Mark Tewksbury, director of dining for Food Services: “I’m excited to see such a great turnout. The opportunity to screen new employees and streamline the hiring process will be helpful as we prepare to welcome our students to campus.”
