For the third year, the CTE Center will be hosting its job fair Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. that allows students to enter the job world and get an experience of the whole job process.

“The purpose is to connect local employers with students who are looking for summer jobs,” CTEC counselor Kelly Hemenway said. “Having all the employers in one place makes it easier for students to know who is hiring. The job fair also provides students an opportunity to practice important job skills such as professional dress, filling out applications, and interviewing.”

More than 40 employers will be on hand looking to hire FISD high school students for summer employment. Students, aged 16-18, should come professionally dressed with resumes and be prepared to interview on-site.

“The job fair is set up similar to a college fair,” Hemenway said. “Students will have the opportunity to walk around and visit the different tables. There will be areas set up for students to fill out applications and an area for employers to conduct on-the-spot interviews.”

Students will have the opportunity to select from a variety of retail, restaurants, and entertainment, that they are interested in applying for without having to drive around looking for employers who are hiring.

“I feel like most people don’t know where to look or what to do when they’re trying to look for a job and job fairs organize things for you and make everything better. Make sure it’s a job that you actually like and won’t regret,” senior Varun Manjunath said. “I went to the job fair at the CTE Center last year and that just gave me some exposure and gave out some resumes.”

In the end, the job fair gives students a glimpse at life after high school.

“It is above all, a great opportunity for students to practice the soft skills of dressing professionally, creating a resume, filling out an application and interviewing,” CTE center management coordinator Kimberly Anderson said. “The other benefit is that many of our employers interview on site and many students walk away with a job that evening.”

This story was updated with an additional quote from CTE center management coordinator Kimberly Anderson.