By LaShea DeSelle
Staff Writer
From 2-4 pm on Sept. 13 in the McCasland Ballroom of the McMahon Centennial Complex, the office of Cameron Student Development hosted the CU Opportunity Fair.
The CU opportunity fair is an annual meet greet with an opportunity to interview with local companies who are seeking quality applicants to fill part-time, full-time, volunteer positions and internships. Companies varied from non-profit organizations to government positions, temporary and staffing agencies.
Allied health, psychology, and biological studies majors would greatly benefit from working with organizations like (TABS) Trinity Autism & Behavior Services who provide programs for the community.
Program manager and Psychology graduate Monique S. spoke about behavioral training available to interested applicants.
“Anyone with a HS diploma can apply, we offer behavioral training that instills transferrable skills,” she said.
Other non-profit organizations on site were the Lawton Family YMCA and Marie Detty Youth and Family Services. These organizations offer volunteer and mentor positions to students who have an interest in early child development or education. Successful applicants would have the opportunity to gain knowledgeable experience and build a reputable resume.
In attendance were a list of staffing agencies who offer full-time and part time immediate positions such as NUMUNU Staffing, a Native American business which receives funding from Comanche Nation and the proceeds fund tribal community and job training programs.
COO Steven Riley Mowatt and Recruiter Ashley Joslyn informed students about positions in construction, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, warehouse, and federal industries. Many of the contract professions available have potential to provide income which would ensure financial stability during the course of higher education learning.
Army ROTC partnered with Cameron University spoke with concurrent students who take an interest in military studies. Upon graduation students will earn a diploma as well as commission as second lieutenant in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
Concurrent students who meet certain criteria may qualify for merit-based up to full tuition scholarships which covered the cost of tuition fees, book allowance and offers a stipend of up to $5,000 a year.
For those who want to learn more about the requirements and access the application, may go to goarmy.com/rotc.
Education Management and Staffing Solutions (ESS) directly staffs K-12 education districts, students with a certification in areas such as counseling, speech language pathologists, nurses and elementary & secondary substitute teachers are offered full-time and part-time positions.
Lawton Public Schools (LPS) offers immediate opportunities like ESS by directly staffing school districts K-12.
Bus Driver and Recruiter for LPS Transportation Department, Mark Erricson attended the opportunity fair and is eager to train individuals looking to further their career in sports education. Erricson has worked for Lawton Public Schools for over 20 years. Once training is completed at the training center or virtual, work schedules vary depending on the 140 routes which transport over 14,000 youth daily.
Lawton Public Schools full-time positions are paid over a 12-month period according to the number of contract days. Applicants are given vacation leave, retirement, and annuities.
Although, benefits are given to all certified, support and part-time positions and include district health insurance, sick leave, personal and emergency leave.
Non-certified professions such as maintenance, security and non-structured classroom are also available for hire through LPS by contacting Mark Erricson through email: marck.erricson@lawtonps.org or by going only to www.LAWTONPS.ORG.
Journalism and media production majors were introduced to news stations KTUL based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and KSWO-TV a local television station to Lawton, Oklahoma.
Both new stations offer a surplus of full-time, part-time, and internship positions, they also provide training and field work as mentors, journalists, and producers.
Business office coordinator for KSWO-TV, Nancy Fitzpatrick gave insight about what KSWO looks for in a successful candidate with regard to training and internships.
“The goal is to bring them in and train and see if they’re really interested,” said Fitzpatrick.
KSWO is partnered with ABC but works with other stations as well, such as Telemundo. Paid internships are provided by KSWO at $18.00 an hour, and are considered part-time, working no more than 30 hours during the spring, summer, or fall semesters.
Fitzpatrick said that the intention of KSWO-TV is to invest in journalism major students.
“The priority is to keep them growing or catapult them into a bigger market.” FitzPatrick said.
For more information, contact FitzPatrick by email at Nancy.FitzPatrick@kswo.com.
To learn more about opportunities pertaining to KSWO visit www.kswo.com.