Human Services Fair Brings Job Opportunities to Students

     The Rumley Center on the Campbell University campus became an intersection for Campbell students and local and state agencies looking for a fit. The event was the Human Services Fair, Wednesday, March 30, and it represented a chance for students to check out job opportunities and explore human service organizations in the community. The fair is the second annual event of its kind sponsored by the junior class of the Department of Social Work.
     Approximately 22 agencies, including the Department of Social Services (DSS), law enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, mental health, Duke Hospital, Dorothea Dix, Community Service Network Incorporated, and the Cooperative Extension Service participated. The purpose of the fair is to cover the whole spectrum of opportunities for students in the School of Education and Criminal Justice, said Dr. Tina Handcock, associate professor of Social Work and facilitator of the event.   “We try to put on an event that has wide appeal to a range of human service related majors,” she said. “We want to bring agencies on campus so that students can become familiar with human services in the community and expose students to opportunities to volunteer with these agencies. Some agencies are also recruiting students when they graduate.”
     Edwin Bass, a Campbell graduate and social worker in Adult Services, manned the DSS booth at the event. He said he enjoyed attending the fair for two reasons. “It’s great to get back on campus and meet students who may become future DSS employees,” he said, “and it is also rewarding to know that I received the foundation that prepared me for this job from Campbell University.”
     Social Work Club President Desirée Cummings called the event a success. “Everything went really smoothly, and the agencies were really happy to be here,” she said. “We had a lot of fun.”
     While approximately 200 students browsed through display areas, the rock band, “No Picnic,” played outside. Participating agencies and organizations also enjoyed a luncheon prepared and served by the students.
     The planning really paid off, according to Fair Committee chair, Tina Gates, of Coats, NC. “We had a great turnout of agencies, and I’m really proud of the fair,” she said. “I think everyone was impressed with the event and with our students.”
     The annual Human Services Fair is held in March in recognition of Social Work Month.

Photo Copy: Kristin Snodgrass and Edwin Bass, of the Department of Social Services, were among the representatives from 22 state and local agencies that participated in Campbell University’s Human Services Fair, sponsored by the junior class of the Department of Social Work.
 

Bulletin 0086-4/05/05