Laura Clark knows that the need for teachers is desperate across America.
What she doesn’t know, as a special education major, is how to find which schools are hiring, and where. However, help for Clark and other education students is on the way.
Education majors seeking a teaching job for the near future will be able to find recruiting schools and companies at the Education Jobs Fair, held today.
“I think it’s a great idea to have a job fair for education majors,” Clark said. “It provides us with a wealth of information about the job market and makes it easier to find them. The job is brought to you.”
The 10th annual fair, sponsored by The University of Memphis Career Services department and the College of Education, will take place in the Michael D. Rose Theatre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Karen Hayes, director of Career and Employment Services, said that 45 companies and schools from across the country will attend to recruit teachers, school counselors and principals.
“This will be a very good year for hiring teachers,” Hayes said. “There is a nationwide shortage, and the fair is a good outlet to find out information about potential employers.”
Traditionally, about 400 students attend the Education Jobs Fair, which is open to anyone interested in attending, including students from other local schools.
Local school districts and several Mid-South school systems will attend the fair, along with schools in the surrounding states of Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio. However, education majors looking to broaden their travel experience will also meet representatives from states across the country.
Schools from Houston, Texas ,to St. Louis to Brooklyn, N.Y., will send representatives, and all school levels, from pre-school to secondary schools, will recruit at the fair.
“There will be something for all education majors there,” Hayes said.
Schools from Charlotte, N.C., and Orlando, Fla., will also attend.
Hayes said that students attending the fair should dress appropriately, for an interview and should bring several copies of their résumés for distribution.
