Employment Fairs at the MHA
Employemt Fair Scheduled for Autumn, 2007
The Mental Health Association of NW Pa will again be hosting an Employment Fair during the fourth quarter of 2007. The event will take place at the MHA. We are located at 1101 Peach Street, Erie, Pa. Directions
Local organizations will be available at the MHA during the fair to provide helpful information about their agencies and employment opportunities.
Come dressed to impress and have questions prepared for the participating employers.
Summary of Employment Fair of March 19, 2007
An Employment Fair was held at the Mental Health Association on Monday, March 19, 2007. This event took place from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. The preparation for having this fair first involved contacting local mental health agencies to ask for participation. The consumers became aware of this event through advertisements posted in the consumer center area of the MHA and also from dialogue which provided a brief overview of the event. The event was also advertised in the media through radio broadcasts. Folders were organized for the consumers to take with them after registering for the fair. These folders included a sheet with helpful sites for employment, as well as common interview questions and information on what to do before, during and after a job interview. Handouts were made and arranged in the folders to give helpful information to the consumers when entering into the workforce. These handouts included information on discrimination in the workplace, workplace safety, the prevention of work related injuries, and vehicle safety on the job. Information on how to create a business and the programs offered by Precision Manufacturing Institute were also included within the folders to inform consumers of other options available to them. Notebook paper and pens were also included to provide the consumers with a means to ask questions and take notes during the employment fair.
Handouts with questions on how a resume is helpful and examples of three different kinds of resumes were provided which consumers were welcome to take. Consumers who wanted one-on-one time to develop or update their resumes were encouraged to sign up on the appropriate sheet to spend time with an intern in accomplishing this. Consumers were then encouraged to visit the local agency tables which were set up within two rooms of the MHA and to ask questions regarding their interests in the agencies. The Hispanic American Council representatives provided a nice visual aid of the different services they offer to consumers. In addition, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation had helpful information. Two representatives and an intern from the agency asked and answered questions from consumers. Brief intakes were performed to take back to the agency to check qualifications of these consumers for services. Consumers were welcome to take pamphlets outlining what OVR does. Consumers could speak to a representative from AHEDD who could explain how going to work can affect social security benefits. A representative from Stairways Employment Services was also present to explain to consumers the different programs Stairways offers to try to get consumers back into the workforce.
Overall, the consumers who took part in the Employment Fair and those agencies that attended felt it was a success. Consumers can look forward to attending and participating in future events similar to this one at the Mental Health Association.