Last Wednesday, approximately 100 Stockton University students attended the second annual Education Career Expo, which brought together many of Stockton University's student and teacher affiliates to campus. The expo not only served as a way for students to meet potential future employers, but also allowed the district to get a first impression of potential job candidates.
“My high school principal is here, and it was really weird to walk in and meet someone I might interview in the future,” said Carly Pratt, a psychology major with a concentration in elementary education. said.
“This expo was started last year in response to the teacher shortage occurring across the state,” said Jennifer Houser, undergraduate fieldwork coordinator for the Stockton School of Education. “The goal is to support our partners’ efforts to recruit the next generation of educators, while providing students and teachers with the opportunity to build professional networks.”
Houser said this year's event has grown dramatically, with about 20 school districts participating, from the Red Bank area in Monmouth County to Middle Township in Cape May County to the Black Horse Pike area in Camden County.
Kimberly Dickerson, interim dean of the College of Education, said, “As our school continues to produce outstanding teachers and these teachers are hired far from the university, our reputation for excellence in education will continue to grow. It will reach a large audience.”
Some school districts sent their superintendents and human resources managers to offer advice and suggestions on separate panels where students could ask questions.
“We all need jobs and these guys are providing them. It's that simple, you couldn't ask for anything better,” said Michael Marcella, a senior majoring in elementary education. .
Marcela was particularly impressed that the university offered something like a career fair that specifically focused on education.
“A lot of places have general job fairs, but I plan on getting a teaching degree,” the Port Lanoka native said. “I think there's an advantage to having a more intimate fair like this instead of a big fair with just general businesses. It doesn't help if the target is hanging out here.”
The intimacy of the fair allowed students to gain experience speaking one-on-one with administrators who could hire them.
“Searching for a job is a much more personal experience,” said Ventnor senior Isabella Mooney. “Ask what the superintendent is looking for in a candidate. Being able to submit a physical resume. I once asked this question in a mock interview with a high school principal and it was very helpful.”
Eileen Ortiz, who graduates in December and hopes to teach visual arts, said she appreciated the opportunity to learn more about schools in and around Stockton.
But students weren't the only ones who benefited from the event, especially as New Jersey's teacher shortage became more of a concern. Upper Deerfield Township School District Superintendent Peter Koza said this is the first time the district has participated in a job fair to meet candidates in person.
Barnegat High School Principal Patrick McGee said his first impressions of Stockton students have been very positive.
“We saw a lot of really well-rounded students,” said McGee, who graduated from Stockton in 2003 with an education degree. “We are looking for these suitable candidates and it is great to see so many students who are energetic and passionate about joining this field. I can see the joy that is about to come.”