Army Staff Sgt. Michael Downin joined the military at the tender age of 17, wanting to leave his small Ohio town to explore and serve his country. Wednesday at a job fair at the DoubleTree Hotel, he hoped to recruit a young opportunity seeker and pass on a similar experience.
As well as military recruiters, several businesses and educational agencies were on the prowl for their next potential hire.
Though many of the agencies had specific requirements and qualifications in prospective employees, many did not require a college degree or previous experience. In fact, a range of employers at the job fair, sponsored by The Durango Herald, were willing to provide employees with some sort of on-site training once hired.
U.S. military personnel made their way, in uniform, to the fair. Downin, who has been in the service for 12 years, was among them, educating people about career opportunities in the military. Downin said that all branches had similar expectations in recruiting servicemen and women.
In hiring military personnel, age and physical abilities play a huge factor in finding the right person, Downin said. Experience in this case is not a requirement because the military has the resources to train participants in virtually any field.
“It gives you an opportunity to get out and see different places,” he said.
Aflac representatives also were there, luring participants for their business-to-business sales department. Aspen Camp, a regional sales coordinator, said the insurance company is searching for motivated self-starters who have charming personalities.
The sales representative job requires neither sales experience nor a college degree but does require the employee to have an insurance license. The company helps the employee obtain the required credential, she said.
Marco Lucero, service manager of Durango Motor Co., said the auto dealer was there primarily to promote the company, but also was on the lookout for people who would fit the company’s values.
Some of their values, as printed in a company pamphlet, are to posses honesty and integrity.
Durango Motor Co. has about 15 to 20 job openings. Though experience is a benefit in dealing with mechanical jobs, it offers in-house training and starter technical jobs.
“We want employees to grow within the company,” Lucero said.
Four Corners Broadcasting handed out more than 40 job applications.
Regional manager Ward Holmes said of the 10 filled-out applications he was holding, he met three solid candidates he planned to follow up with.
Four Corners Broadcasting is searching for a reporter, producer and account executive.
Holmes said these positions do not necessarily require a college degree, though one is always a plus. The company primarily is looking for experience in the field.
On the other hand, the School to Work Alliance Program was there not to scout employees but to promote its services. The program, known as SWAP, collaborates with local school districts and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to help youths with varying disabilities find employment.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
