Perched at the Kalamazoo Literacy Council table inside the Kalamazoo Expo Center, Cakneeshia Stegall smiled brightly at the dozens of jobseekers wandering past.

She was eager to connect with them. After all, she knew what they were feeling.

Stegall was once on the other side of the table, looking for work, at a past Career Life Expo. She’s held other jobs until joining the Kalamazoo Literacy Council in January.

“It’s good practice, having been here before,” she said. “I know how to talk to the people, how to present yourself to an employer.

“I’m here to encourage you. If you’re looking for a job and don’t have a high school diploma or GED, we can help you,” Stegall added.

The Kalamazoo Literacy Council was one of 24 nonprofit agencies at the third annual Career Life Expo. Those agencies provide wraparound support services for jobseekers—a unique element that doesn’t happen at other job fairs.

“We want to be part of a community where all people thrive,” said Alyssa Stewart, Vice President of Strategy & Engagement for United Way BCKR. “The Career Life Expo creates opportunities for all of us—employers, nonprofits and other support agencies—to be part of helping people create their path.”

Attendance Increases

This year’s Expo, held Feb. 26, hosted 73 area employers and drew well over 350 jobseekers, above the turnout in 2019.

As people arrived, they were escorted into the Kalamazoo Expo Center and helped with resume review and preparation, job interview skills, and other job search needs. They also had the opportunity to connect with social services aimed at eliminating barriers to work. Finally, jobseekers could meet personally with employers.

“The Expo’s value is in being able to meaningfully connect jobseekers and employers so people can pursue a career and connect with other resources they may not know exist,” said Ashley Iovieno, Business Services Manager for Michigan Works! Southwest. Michigan Works! Southwest partners with United Way to put on the Expo.

Jim Ackley from Landscape Forms, one of the Expo’s employers, said his company was looking for great employees to add to their team.

“We want people who are interested in us, looking for a home and a long-term career,” he said.

Ackley found the Expo appealing. “It’s affiliated with agencies that we have a relationship with, like United Way. And it’s close to our location,” he said.

Jasmine Miller, a recruiter for Grace Health of Battle Creek, said the Expo stands above other ways of bringing in new employees. “It’s more about meeting face to face,” she said. “Over the phone is not the same, let alone just getting resumes. It’s hard to get a real feel for a candidate otherwise.”

Personal Touch Resonates

Clutching a bag of promotional items and a stack of flyers from employers, jobseeker Alexa of Otsego applauded the Career Life Expo. She found the resume building service, provided by Michigan Works! Southwest, to be especially helpful.

“I like the resume building. That’s awesome,” said Alexa, who was looking for a job in human resources or communications. “It’s helpful for people who don’t have a computer to do it at home.”

The personal approach the Expo provides was helpful as well, she said. “It’s hard to tell what employers are looking for without the chance to approach them.”

Maria Young, who is nearing graduation from Western Michigan University, said the Expo’s comprehensive approach is especially valuable to a non-traditional student. “I would do this all day long,” she said. “Every person I talked to has a different experience, and that’s so very helpful.”

Sponsors of the Career Life Expo included United Way BCKR, Michigan Works! Southwest, AmeriFirst Home Mortgage, Fabri-Kal, and Midwest Communications. In addition, Molina Healthcare sponsored interview packets provided to jobseekers.

Click here to see photos from the event.