Terri A. Sewell Job Fair

By Nathan Young on August 9, 2012

On Wednesday I went to Birmingham to the Congresswomen Terri A. Sewell Job Fair at the BJCC. This job fair was promoted by everyone and they said they would have around 100 employers who had jobs available. I got there around 9:30am and the line was already wrapping around to the back of the BJCC.

Thousands of people came out as well in search of work. I stood in line outside in the 90 degree heat for close to three hours. Standing outside with the hot sun literary baking you makes you feel bad. I really felt bad for the people who were standing in line wearing full business suits. Imagine standing in line for three hours and getting your entire suit stinky and then going in to meet potential employers while you smell in sweat. I was glad to see a ice cream truck and a few people who were selling water to the folks in the line. I got a little concerned when some people who were leaving the BJCC were telling the people in line the employers were telling you to go online. Once I finally got to the front door and after going through a security sweep and registering I entered the job fair.

After standing out in the heat for three hours I went to the bathroom and got some water. The job fair was not very cool and felt warm. So I went to the meeting room areas to cool down and get some more water. I attended a workshop about career development. I wanted to see if I could do something different since I am still searching for my 14th job in 6 1/2 years. I got some information about resources to find work that honestly I already knew. I also got some information about resumes and job interviews. I was still reading over the information this morning so maybe something will change.

While I was going through the job fair I saw several employers I have seen from previous job fairs and yes I have already talked to them and nothing has happened. Some employers such as Alabama Power and UAB were very popular and had a huge line. But the problem with the employers I talked to was they were saying the same thing I have heard before. Either you need lots of experience or you need to go online and apply. Oh well; the 10th job fair I have been too since I was let go in July 2011 went okay. Sure I talked to people in the line and in the job fair but I felt like I will not find a job through this job fair. So today I am looking online once again and continuing my quest to find my 14th job in 6 1/2 years. One has to wonder if I will ever get to work and earn some money again.