Chico State’s Career Center hosted roughly 100 school districts across California for the Education Hiring Fair Saturday morning.

Students currently in Chico State’s credential program, along with those who already have a credential, sought out their future careers within the education industry.

The fair was primarily designed to connect school districts with future teachers, yet students searching for all education-related jobs got to make their impressions as well.

Jeffery Harrington, Career Center advisor and director of the hiring fair, said that the hiring fair has been happening on Chico State’s campus for a good amount of years now, and has been one of the best ways for students to jumpstart their careers.

“If you are thinking about getting any job in education, this is the fair for you,” he said.

Harrington said that schools are looking for school counselors and special education teachers as well as a variety of other positions.

Some representatives for the school districts are Chico State alumni and they consider Chico’s credential system to be one of the best. Mike Williams, HR director at Pleasanton Unified School District and a Chico State alumnus, likes to “build the bridge” for students to make their way to Chico.

“Chico State has a really great education program,” Williams said. “We have a lot of students who graduate our high school and come up to Chico because of it.”

Whether they knew it or not, students were noticeably making good impressions on the visiting school districts. Their “dress to impress” looks combined with well-organized portfolios went a long way.

LuAnn Lantsberger, HR director for El Dorado County Office of Education, noticed the difference in Chico State students compared to others.

“The Chico State group seems more prepared,” Lantsberger said. “It’s the way they interviewed, the way they dressed and the questions they asked in the interviews.”

The hiring fair also served as an opportunity for school districts to showcase themselves to Chico State students. Students are looking for employers that can provide what teachers need to succeed in the field.

Collin Dobb, a Chico State credential program alumnus, said that he looks for a lot of things when considering a district to teach in.

“Administration can make or break a school district,” Dobb said. “The way that they should communicate (with) and treat their teachers is super important”

Dobb also mentions that the location of the school, as well as what kind of benefits they will be able to provide you with, are equally important.

The way that the districts presented themselves also made a good impression on those seeking jobs. Thomas Kelley, a current student in the credential program, said that he was very happy with the way the representatives talked to him.

“It was nice to be able to talk to some actual teachers and not strictly employers,” Kelley said. “They were really personable, which helped ease the nerves.”

The Career Center puts on many fairs during the semester to help students find careers during, or even after their time at the University.

To find out more about career fairs coming up in the future, visit the Chico State Career Center website.

Trenton Taylor can be reached at @T_Taylor34 on Twitter.