Job Club Journal

Job seeking in the dark became a reality for the 750+ attendees at the Mature Services Job Fair at the Akron Fairlawn Hilton (near Akron, Ohio) on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. 

Whether many people would arrive was questionable as wind-blown rain filled already-soaked streets and a slate sky, split by lightening, hovered over West Akron.  When we got to the Akron Fairlawn Hilton, the parking areas were jammed with vehicles and the rain was not letting up.

Arriving at a Job Fair in anything but pristine condition is not advisable so we drove around until we found a spot in what appeared to be the ‘guest parking’ area and waited for the rain to become a drizzle.  Soon the sky lightened and my companion, in hat and raincoat, and I, umbrella in hand, scurried around to the front entrance.  Strange for the lobby to be dark I thought as I approached the desk to ask the Job Fair’s location, only to discover that we were in the wrong hotel.

We walked next door and saw some of the Mature Services staff standing outside the Akron Fairlawn Hilton.  We soon learned that the electricity was out, but that it should be on by 11:30 – it was then 10:30am and the Fair had been going for about an hour and a half.

The ballroom was like a grotto with shadowy figures moving in front of the few windows in one wall, and pin points of light dotted the room.   Employers’ booths lined the walls, so they must have arrived while it was still light, but now everyone who had a mini-light was using it – job seekers and exhibitors alike.

Large, round tables were placed so that people could get a coffee or just gather their thoughts for a moment – some actually were filling in job applications.  Never let it be said that mature workers are not adaptable!

Jim Mackinnon, an Akron Beacon Journal reporter/photographer arrived and interviewed some the participants, including Judi Trowbridge, an Akron resident.   A lengthy article, with a photo of the mini-light holding job applicant (Ms. Trowbridge), appeared on the front page of the newspaper the following day.

Among the exhibitors were Akron General Medical Center, Kent State University, The University of Akron, Prudential Insurance, other educational and health care companies and organizations, and several staffing agencies.  For a detailed list visit http://www.matureservices.org and click on the Job Fair icon in the news scroll.