Indian American community group organises job fair in Chicago

Tuesday, 01/11/2011

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/nri/nris-in-news/indian-american-community-group-organises-job-fair-in-chicago/articleshow/10567280.cms

Amid an economic slowdown, a diversity job fair hosted by an Indian American community organisation here received a warm response by hundreds of job seekers who thronged to the event.

More than 700 hundred job seekers buzzed through 28 employer booths at Navy Pier, a historic landmark location and tourist attraction in downtown Chicago.

The job fair was held by Indo-American Community Services (IACS), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering South Asian community through education, resources, and social services.

Organised last week, this was the second annual fair held by IACS and its partners here to link prospective employees with a multitude of businesses for career-related exchanges.

IACS is the first Indian organisation to hold such a fair. Other Hispanic and African-American organisations do also organise such fairs.

Dan Korte, President of Defence Aerospace, Rolls-Royce said in his inaugural speech that the event was a great service to the community in such trying economic times.

Last year, 400 or so people had attended the job fair. "Lots of NRI students have taken advantage of the job fair," Sreenivas Katragadda, President of IACS, told PTI.

Kripal (Chris) Zala, Director of Asian American Affairs for city of Chicago, presented an appreciation message from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office that commended the organisation for taking this step.

Jagan Bukkaraju secretary of IACS said, "I am pleasantly surprised to see hundreds of students attending the fair".

"I have been looking for a job as I graduate in December and I am glad to get a chance to speak with the hiring managers themselves, who will be making a decision about my resume, first hand," said Malav Shah, a job seeker from Naperville, IL.

Job seekers had come from several areas including central and southern parts of the state.

Benjamin Edwards, a job seeker from Charleston, Illinois, said he was impressed by the personal interest the organisers took in ensuring that he gets to talk to the right people.

"We came here expecting more people seeking jobs fresh out of college (but) we were surprised and happy to see some experienced people also seek new opportunities," Jason Scales, recruiter for Rolls-Royce plc, said.

About 28 employers that had booths at the event included Rolls-Royce, IBM, Alcatel-Lucent, ITW, CSC, TCS, New York life, Morgan Stanley, Roosevelt University, among others.

"Next year at least 50 companies will attend the job fair," Katragadda said.