Countywide job fair draws crowd
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

Gazing around the Wharton Civic Center, Chandra Spenrath only saw positives during Thursday's Wharton County Job Fair.

The executive director of El Campo's City Development Corp., Spenrath said the event was a different kind of success compared to last year's inaugural event, which was held in El Campo.

"Last year's event was a huge success," she said. "This year's is more of a planned success, with the whole county involved. Job fairs are new to the area and I think over the next three to five years, it will become a full-fledged event, including trade fairs, and well-known not only in Wharton County but also attract attention from the surrounding counties."

During the first two hours, 10 a.m. to noon, Spenrath said more than 200 job seekers walked through the doors of the Wharton Civic Center. But she was more impressed by the estimated 40 potential employers who set up booths at the show.

"The companies are here to sell themselves as much as people are here looking for jobs," she said. "They need employees and are willing to come to Wharton County to find them."

Those hunting for jobs included people looking for work and those looking to improve their working conditions.

El Campo resident Nadine Steele said she currently works part-time and that just isn't enough. As part of her approach, she was dressed for success in a suit.

"I try to dress like this most of the time," she said. "I think it projects a professional image to be better dressed."

While currently unemployed, Vickie Ortiz of El Campo said she is a certified pharmacy technician .

"More than anything, I want something where there are no limits on potential advancement. The best thing about this is that it has all these employers together in one location. I have a tendency to procrastinate and when I have to go somewhere, pick up an application, take it home, fill it out and then return it, I tend not to do it. Here, I can fill out several at once."

El Campo's Dominique Norman said she was also looking for a better job and had filled out five applications before noon. Filling out applications beside her was Wharton's Roshanda Sims.

"I'm working a couple of jobs and a lot of hours a week but it's all at night," she said. "I'd like something paying more but I'd really like something that lets me work during the day."