[Bridgeville, IL] Northwestern College’s mid-year Career Fair for both students and the community was a resounding success. Over 35 recruiters attended the November 8 event and about 220 job seekers participated, which were primarily existing students but also included alumni and members of the public. A number of job offers have already been extended, and additional interviews have been scheduled for this week.
For the last two years, Northwestern College has focused its career fairs specifically on healthcare-related careers, for 85% of its students are enrolled in programs involving healthcare, including its Violet L Schumacher School of Nursing.
This is the second mid-year career fair that Northwestern College has conducted to better ensure the success of its fall graduates. December graduates are significantly benefited when employers are brought to the campus in November to help with the transition from the classroom and into career-related jobs. Having to wait two quarters till mid-May to attend a school-sponsored career fair prevents fall graduates from getting the added boost that comes with meeting multiple employers in one place, during one morning.
The 2018 fall Healthcare Career Fair connected nearly 220 students with 28 employers looking to hire. Countless on-the-spot interviews were conducted, and some recruiters with authority hired graduating students on the spot. Others conducted multiple interviews and planned to later advise hiring officials of their opinions. One particular company conducted nine (9) on-the-spot interviews with Coding certificate and Health Information Technology graduates and shared with the College their intention to recommend that all 9 be hired.
Some employers collected multiple resumes and scheduled follow-up interviews within a week. Still others agreed to return to the campus in early December in order to conduct additional interviews with graduating Medical Assisting students.
In advance of the career fair, Northwestern College hosted multiple events to prepare the students, including workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills and preparation of a 20 second “sales pitch” or “elevator speech” to give to an employer at hiring events. The investment paid off. A participating employer interested in hiring dental assisting graduates commented on how professional the graduates were when presenting themselves; they further noted the positive attitudes of the students, and how well prepared they were to present themselves and their credentials. That employer shared that they hoped to hire at least three (3) of Northwestern College’s December Dental Assisting graduates.
Businesses that took part in the 2018 Healthcare Career Fair included: Timberline Knolls; Sahara Home Care; All STAT Portable X-Ray; Advocate Health Care; Norridge Gardens; Symphony Post-Acute Network; BrightStar Care of Tinley Park; American Home Health; HealthAdvocates; University of Chicago Hospital Medicine; Homewatch Caregivers; MiraMed Revenue Group; DecisionOne Dental; Transitions Hospice; West Suburban Nursing & Rehab Center; Keys Medical Staffing; Midway Neurological and Rehabilitation; Touhydiagnostic At Home; Palos Health; TruBlue Dentistry; Physicians Immediate Care; Independence Plus, Inc.; Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness; Trinity Health – including Mercy Hospital and Loyola University Medical Center; Legacy Healthcare – including Carlton at the Lake and Grove of LaGrange; and Northwestern College. Representatives from the Chicago Area Health Information Management Association (CAHIMA) were also present, helping students navigate the organization’s website portal seeking available jobs in their industry.
The 28 employers present were interested in hiring multiple employees spanning numerous open positions at their establishments. Positions being recruited for on November 8 included: Medical Assistants; Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA); Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN); Registered Nurses (RN); Radiography Technicians; Behavioral Health Specialists & Technicians; Charge Nurses; Nurse Supervisors; Nurse Managers; Ultrasound Technicians; Dental Assistants; Business Assistants; Hygiene Assistants; Direct Support Professionals; Home Care Aids; Vascular Access Nurses; EKG Technicians; Dispatchers; Account Managers; Certified Home Health Aides; Behavioral Health Specialists & Technicians; Direct Support Professionals; Home Health-Private Duty RNs; Home Health-Private Duty LPNs; Caregivers; Research Assistants; Customer Service Representatives; Medical Billers/Coders; Call Center Supervisors; Dietary Aides; Activity Aides; Floor Technicians; Medical Administration Assistants; Phlebotomists; and Restorative Aides.
Northwestern College’s next career fair will be held in May 2019.
The success of this career fair is due to the tremendous efforts of Northwestern College’s Career Development & Alumni Relations Department. In addition, the numerous Northwestern College staff, program coordinators, and other volunteers were thanked for the assistance they provided to help make the event a success.
About Northwestern College:
Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.hlcommission.org. The college offers focused career-oriented associate degree and certificate programs with flexible schedules and a supportive faculty. Day, evening, weekend, online classes and online programs are available. More information can be found at www.NC.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.
Media Contact: Laura Pollastrini, lmpollastrini@nc.edu