Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Nov. 20, 2024 – Special need students across the area got a chance to check out the local job market during the third annual Project CARE Transitional Job Fair on Tuesday at Nettleton Baptist Church.

Project CARE Educational Chair and Head of the Transitional Job Fair Committee Laura Pope said the theme for the fair this year was “Spotlight on You” as they focused on preparing the students for careers after high school.

“The fair is an opportunity for special needs eleventh and twelfth grade high school students to connect with entry-level jobs and continuing education opportunities upon graduation,” Pope said.

The event featured 55 vendor booths by local employers.

Arkansas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. James Littlefield said he spoke about motivation, interviewing skills, and employer relations.

“I really just tried to make them laugh a little bit before they come out here and talk to employers,” he said.

According to a press release from the City of Jonesboro, each vendor and session topic provide students with the resources they need to explore opportunities after graduation, whether they choose to enter the workforce, attend trade school, or pursue higher education.

Project CARE (City Administrators Ready to Engage) is a non-profit created in August 2022 by Mayor Harold Copenhaver alongside Project CARE Co-Founder Mary Housewright, which consists of approximately 50 participants representing area schools, programs, businesses, health-care partners and state services collaborating to serve the special needs population in Northeast Arkansas.

“The unwavering commitment of our sponsors to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities embodies the spirit of inclusivity at the heart of this event,” Housewright said.

According to Pope, Project CARE’s primary the mission is to improve lives of the special needs population and the community through education, resources, opportunities, support, legislation and advocacy.

Hytrol Manager of Academic Partnerships Christie Valentine said as a sponsor, they like to participate so that students know the opportunities that are available to them.

“Lots of people drop by our building and have no idea what goes on in the area we hire,” she said. “We have all kinds of opportunity, all kinds of jobs, everything from welding to marketing, and most people don’t know that. So, we do things like this so the community understands that you can build a career at Hytrol. It’s not just a job. We provide training. We provide extensive benefits. So, it’s a good company and we love to connect with the community as community is one of our core values.”

“The other thing is when we’re here, we get to talk to teachers,” she explained. “They come and they tour. They do our educator program and it just an all-around way to educate people about the career opportunities available.”

This year’s event was the biggest event yet with over 300 students in attendance from 12 different NEA schools, including Bay, Brookland, Greene County Tech, Harrisburg, Jonesboro, Nettleton, Harrisburg, Riverside, Buffalo Island Central, Valley View, Walnut Ridge, Westside High Schools.

“We try to grow and enhance it each year, and this year we have added a keynote speaker who focused on effective communication, organizational skills and town management. So that’s kind of been the overall theme this year,” Pope said.

“This year we also have added an interview process where select students from each high school that attended had to prepare by making a resume, practicing interview questions at their school,” she continued. “Then when they come here, they go through the Mobile Workforce Center and what they do there is they kind of look at their resume, kind of enhance their resume and go over some interview skills with them. After which, they go to an interview with one of the nine businesses that are committed to interviewing students for possible jobs. So, seniors actually could walk out of here with a job. We’re looking forward to seeing like how many students were actually hired from this.”

Westside High School Teacher Jill Lemley said the fair gives students the opportunity to see what career opportunities are waiting for them after graduation.

“Adding the interview process this year was by far one of the best ideas because it gives them a real-life experience. It lets them see what opportunities they have for their future success. That is great,” she said.

For more information, visit the Project CARE Arkansas website or email projectcareofjonesboro@gmail.com.