April 4, 2002
Contact: Teri Hendrickson (509-963-1921/fax 509-963-2418/e-mail hendrick@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - For the week ending March 30, new claims for jobless benefits jumped by a seasonally adjusted 64,000 to 460,000. That’s the highest level since the beginning of December, according to the U.S. Labor Department . Many analysts had expected new claims to fall.
Even so, there are corporations hiring. And, they’re looking to hire graduates from Central Washington University. In all, representatives from nearly 80 corporations will be available to meet with students to discuss career opportunities during CWU’s 29th annual Career Quest on Thursday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Samuelson Union Building Cesar Chavez Theatre and Ballroom.
“Despite the state of the economy, that’s just about the same number we had here last year,” Teri Hendrickson, CWU career development services (CDS) recruiting coordinator, says. “That shows these employers know the quality of the graduates we are producing here at Central.”
About a third of the firms are first-time participants in the CWU program, she adds.
Among the new companies are the Bellevue Police Department, Familian Northwest, a wholesale plumbing and heating supply company; Holland America Line, National Alaska Fisheries Science Center and Washington Society of CPAs.
Corporations again sending representatives to the Ellensburg campus include The Boeing Co., Jeld-Wen, one of the world's largest manufacturers of doors, windows, millwork and specialty wood products; the employee-owned construction firm Kiewit; MountainStar Resort; and Weyerhaeuser.
“This is really exciting to be able to offer these opportunities — such as internships, permanent employment and summer jobs — for students from such a wide variety of majors,” Hendrickson states. “We expect about 700 Central students will participate.”
Seniors and underclassmen are encouraged to attend.
Career Quest begins Wednesday evening (APRIL 17) with a “sponsors reception,” at which time faculty can talk directly with employers to learn about their employment needs.
“These employers have all made contributions to help fund the CDS Internship Scholarship,” Hendrickson says.
In addition, about 20 employers will stay on campus an extra day to hold interviews Friday (APRIL 19). Other firms will also return to campus for similar interviews during the next several weeks.
University students wanting to interview for jobs must register at the CDS Web site, www.cwucareer.com. That site also contains a complete listing of participating firms and businesses, and lists companies planning to hold campus interviews throughout spring quarter.
For more information about Career Quest, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1921, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-3323.
