Educator Expo benefits students entering field

Marshall University Career Services hosted the Educator Expo on Tuesday, giving education majors an opportunity to interview for teaching positions in schools across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Administrators from 21 school districts interviewed student in the Memorial Student Center.

Students could schedule interviews two ways.

"Students attend the reception (Monday) night and sign up, or they could walk-in and sign up," said Denise Hogsett, director of Career Services.

A reception allowed students to network with prospective employers and schedule the interviews.

Hogsett said the majority of students attending the expo were seniors and graduate students.

"I had three promising prospects today," said Andrea Voss, graduate business education major from Gallipolis, Ohio.

"I'd be happy to get a call, but getting hired would be phenomenal," said Zechariah Frame, senior speech and theatre education major from St. Albans, W.Va.

Students also scheduled multiple interviews from different locations.

 Frame said he had six interviews scheduled, five from West Virginia school districts and one school district from North Carolina.

Voss said she had five interviews.

Students can be asked back for a second interview, Hogsett said. Sometimes students will get information from an employer and go back for a more detailed interview at a later time.

"I am flexible. I will go wherever the job takes me," Frame said.

Employers had specific criteria for future employees.

"We're looking for those who have completed certification in areas we need," said Vickie Adkins, director of Professional Personnel at Cabell County Schools. "We also look for good substitutes. Also, those who are willing to go through an extended interview."

With such a short interview, personality and the way they approach me in the interview process really stands out, Adkins said.

The expo provided many opportunities for students.

"It's an opportunity to connect with employers," Adkins said. "It's a one-stop shop. They can see lots of people in a short amount of time, and travel is not involved."

The employers also benefited from the expo.

"Employers enjoy coming here because they get to see the students face-to-face," Hogsett said.

Kristen Hainkel can be contacted at hainkel@marshall.edu.