Handshakes and Headshots: Youth job fair fuels opportunity

Galindo, a Youth Employment and Training Navigator for Weld County’s Department of Human Services, has seen firsthand how beneficial this event is for Weld County youth. Last year, she assisted a young man who arrived dressed for success in a tie with a résumé in hand, eager to see what the Young Adult Job Fair would bring. She’s excited to see what opportunities await those in attendance at this year’s job fair, held on March 8, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Event Center at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley.

“People get a true picture of the competitive job market and the impact that little details — having a strong résumé and dressing professionally — can make. The Young Adult Job Fair may be the start of a career for many! Seeing attendees’ interest increase as they meet with different employers is always inspiring,” Galindo said. “Most will end up being interviewed that day or called in later for follow-up interviews.”

However, the opportunity offers young people much more than an interview with potential employers.

“We will be offering free headshots for those interested and have partnered with Leanne’s Closet to offer business attire to those who need it for their job search," Galindo explained. “The High Plains Library District is also bringing in virtual reality devices so that attendees can “see” just what it’s like to do some of the jobs they are interested in. 

While some may come looking for just a job, others, like Nohemi Valencia, can credit the job fair with much more: the path to a career.

In her teens, Valencia found herself in a similar position to most young people. She was trying to answer the questions of what’s my first job going to be and what kind of career do I want? Her experience at a summer youth program with the City of Greeley left a desire for community involvement, so she utilized the Young Adult Job Fair as an entryway to that aspiration.

“I learned about the job fair through my high school, and I was impressed by the youth summer program I had been involved with through the City of Greeley and really looked up to the staff working for the program,” Valencia recalled. “They weren’t all that much older than I was, and I wondered how I could be like them. I knew there would be a chance to learn more at the Young Adult Job Fair, so it was a no-brainer for me to attend.”

The job fair allowed her to network, meet new people and begin a journey with the City of Greeley that opened the door to her current position as a recreation coordinator. Now, she gets to help organize the annual event that aided her in landing her current job, something she sees as significant.

"Just a few minutes meeting with employers can prove extremely valuable to young people. I didn’t realize how important first impressions were, and it was a little intimidating thinking of going to interviews and talking with people who seem so much older than you,” Valencia said, explaining that the job fair can provide young people an opportunity to learn valuable lessons as they begin their job search.

In listening to both Galindo and Valencia talk about the job fair, their passion for the event shines through, as it’s one that can benefit both young people and employers.

“A young adult is a blank canvas. They lack work history, meaning you and your organization get to train them the way you want your employees to perform. They do not come overset in their ways and are teachable and coachable,” Galindo said. “They bring innovative ideas keeping your company moving forward and relevant.”

And if nerves and anxiety have some hesitant to attend, steps have been taken to make the fair easier to navigate as well.

“There will be navigators to help assist attendees, especially those who have never been to a job fair. They will help guide conversations, coach on what kind of questions to ask and be a resource throughout the job fair,” said Brecken Arnold, Youth Enrichment Supervisor for the City of Greeley.

Arnold, who works with Valencia, Galindo and ESWC knows that the effort to put on the annual event offers one thing that often can’t be garnered by a résumé or ordinary job search: Opportunity.

“It is truly a one-stop shop for all careers they can get involved in. I think it makes for an incredible resource for young people to see and hear from most employers that they will be working with all in the same area,” Arnold said.

As Galindo gears up to begin setting up the résumé writing tables with pens and paper for this year’s Young Adult Job Fair, she is reminded of the reason she looks forward to this particular event — the opportunity it provides the youth population she has dedicated her professional life to serving.

You may have heard that Weld County is a home rule county. But what exactly does that mean? And how does it impact the scope and structure of Weld County Government? Learn more in our County Government 101 series in the next edition of County Roots!