Coastal Carolina University job fair draws plenty of recruiters

There’s plenty of jobs across the Grand Strand, and Coastal Carolina University officials want to give all of their students the best shot at employment.

Coastal Carolina University held their annual spring career fair Wednesday for a crowd of over 200 students. The fair wrangles about 100 area employers – including CresCom Bank, Springmaid Resort and several area police departments – so interested students can learn about internships or future job opportunities.

And there are more opportunities around the Grand Strand than some people think.

Vincent Ingold, a Verizon representative, said their company has about 40 positions – some of which are internships – open right now. Many of those positions aren’t necessarily in the retail stores or behind mall counters, though.

“The biggest benefit of these fairs is exposure, because perception is reality,” Ingold said.

Verizon is in the process of transitioning from just a cellphone company to a technology hub, Ingold said. The rebranding requires many behind-the-scene employees such as in human resources, marketing and management, something most students don’t realize.

“The biggest advantage to students is learning about these new opportunities for them, because how else would they know?” Ingold said.

Students also get face-to-face interaction with hiring managers and supervisors during the fairs, which sets them apart when they apply. Haley McKee, a senior at CCU, was applying to Bluegreen Resorts after browsing the fair.

She said meeting the people who may eventually hire her gives her a better chance at landing a job.

“The personal connection matters,” McKee said.

Hannah Eades, a senior communications major, understands the power of a personal connection. She’s interned with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for three years in several positions, and had no idea about the multiple jobs needed for a minor-league baseball team.

Some of her most important lessons have come from inside the Pelicans’ stadium and not just a classroom, she said.

“Networking is the most important thing,” Eades said. “Shaking the right hands of the right people matters.”

There’s no shortage of jobs in Horry County, according to Sara Wise, CCU’s employer recruitment coordinator. Employers are willing and eager to attend the fairs because they need to recruit people for their open positions, Wise said.

Students are eager to make those connections and start internships as soon as possible, she added.

“Some people say it’s really hard to find a job, and it can be in your specific area, but there’s no shortage of jobs in this area,” Wise said.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Coastal Carolina University job fair draws plenty of recruiters."