Hundreds of Job Seekers Hit City's First Job Fair

A half-hour before the doors opened, job seekers had already formed a line outside Bowie City Hall Saturday morning for the city’s  job fair.

“I don’t see the signs of a recovery,” District 2 City Councilwoman Diane Polangin said, surveying Saturday's crowd. “This says people are still really hurting."

Like other city officials, Polangin said she was surprised by the attendance, which she estimated to be well over 200 people by mid-morning, a sign that many people are still weathering the effects of an economy that has been slow to rebound.

The national unemployment rate dipped slightly to 8.8 percent—a two-year low—in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the percentage of jobless Bowie residents is significantly lower at about 5.8 percent, buoyed by a relatively robust job market in the D.C. area.

Representatives from more than 20 employers—from Safeway to Sirius XM Radio— were on hand to accept applications and meet with people looking for work. In order to take part in the job fair, all employers were required to have vacancies which they were actively trying to fill.

One of those employers was Suntrust Bank’s Milton Steele, branch manager at the Fairwood Green location. Steele, who was hiring tellers and managers, was floored by the number of job seekers.

“This crowd is ridiculous. I didn’t expect this turnout,” said Steele.

Halfway through the event, Steele said he had already identified three or four good candidates, he said, and expected to see more.

The job fair was the brainchild of recently appointed Councilman Henri Gardner, who proposed the idea to the city council last month.

“This is about helping Bowie residents who are unemployed or underemployed improve their circumstances,” Gardner said Saturday.

Middle school teacher James Ryon said he would be open to finding another job in education after being laid off. But, at this point, Ryon said, he just wanted a job. Any job.

“As a first year teacher, I'm the first to go. Everybody’s cutting jobs, the economy being what it is,” said Ryon.

Gardner questioned Ryan about what he wanted to do and offered some advice.

“You’re a math teacher, how about something in accounting or how about teaching at a charter school,” said Gardner.

Jelan Lewis who was recently let go from his job at the National Park Service, said he hoped to be rehired but was anxious to find work in the meantime.

“I’m hoping they’ll call me me back,” said Lewis. “But I’ll do anything.”

Many young people were on the hunt for part-time work.

Bowie High School student Kelsey Hobson, 17, was looking for a summer job, especially one that could lead into a fall position or an internship. Standing in a long line with other teens interested in a summer camp counselor position, Hobson was optimistic about her chances.

“I know I can do it, I like people,” she said, with a confident smile. “ It’s just a matter of getting my foot in the door.”