Employers, nonprofits and jobseekers found the tagline for the Career Life Expo rang true: It’s more than a job fair.

More than 400 jobseekers attended the second annual event, put on by United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region and Michigan Works Southwest. Held on March 26, the Expo included more than 80 employers and 20 nonprofits helping people address barriers to working.

Alyssa Stewart, Vice President of Impact and Engagement for United Way BCKR, said the Career Life Expo provides pathways for individuals and families to become financially stable.

“We know that a good-paying job plays a crucial role in helping individuals or families who struggle to make ends meet,” Stewart said. “The good news is, our region has hundreds of those jobs available. The second element, providing services to help people get past issues that impede their ability to work—be it child care, transportation, managing their income, or other difficulties—helps people stay employed and provide for their families.”

Financial stability is a big issue in the region. According to the newly released ALICE Report, 40 percent of households are either in poverty or one unexpected bill away from poverty. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—people who have jobs but still struggle to make ends meet.

“The Career Life Expo is unique in its size and scope, yet it’s just one approach United Way uses to help people build pathways to financial stability,” Stewart said.

‘Speed Dating’ Lands Jobs

Grace Health, a federally qualified health clinic serving Calhoun County, was a returning employer at this year’s Expo. According to Andrea Bishop, Director of Patient Services, Grace Health hired five jobseekers through the 2018 Expo. All five are still employed at the clinic.

“For us as an employer, the Expo speeds up the process,” said Bishop. “We were able to see how well the job candidates presented themselves before the actual interview process. It’s a ‘speed dating’ approach. We took in the best candidates for one-on-one interviews later.”

Alisha Morris, also Director of Patient Services, said the Career Life Expo also helped elevate Grace Health’s profile in the community.

“It’s nice to get our name out there, nice to give clarity about who we are and what we do,” she said.

Grace Health’s booth at this year’s Expo was a busy place. Bishop said the clinic was hiring for nine positions.

Jobseekers Make Vital Connections

Timothy Thompson has been unemployed for about eight months. He recently relocated to Battle Creek from Detroit, and jumped at the opportunity for free transportation from the Michigan Works Southwest service center to the Career Life Expo.

“My car’s on the fritz, so when I heard that you all were providing transportation over here, that’s amazing and impressive,” he said.

Once at the Expo, Thompson took his time in getting to know the employers and what they had to offer in terms of job openings and culture. With 30 years of experience in management and customer service, he said he’s open to learning new skills with the right company.

“What I’m looking for is a company that likes that old school customer service that sets you apart,” he said. “I’m looking for a place I can grow. If you can teach it, I’ll learn it.”

With more booths yet to visit, Thompson said he was feeling good about the experience.

“I’m so impressed,” he said. “United Way has really done a great job. People here have been engaging, they’re upbeat and they want to help, so that makes the difference.

“I feel confident I’ve made some good connections.”

Journey to Employment

Eric Stewart, administrator for Michigan Works Southwest, said the distinctive nature of the Career Life Expo makes it a great asset for jobseekers.

“Just finding a job is step one; retaining that job and advancing within that job is everything,” Stewart said. “That’s why the Expo included community resource providers to help people navigate the beginning of their new career successfully.”

Jobseekers checked in first with experts from Michigan Works to review and polish their resumes, cover interview basics and ask other job-search questions. If they had needs beyond employment, they connected with the service agencies before moving on to meet with employers.

Affordable, accessible child care is one of the big barriers for many workers, said Beth Walters, Volunteer Coordinator for the Kalamazoo Drop-In Child Care Center.

“[The Expo] allows us to show prospective employees that there are resources out here that can help them,” Walters said.

Sponsors for the 2019 Career Life Expo include United Way BCKR, Michigan Works Southwest, Amerifirst Home Mortgage, Fabri-Kal, and Midwest Communications.