They have some openings.

“We have a maintenance position,” he said. “We also talked about processing and packaging.”

The company, he said, is expanding their facility which means employment opportunities.

He said they’ve had very good luck with hiring Iowa Central graduates.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Debbie Rossmanith, of Fort Dodge, gives a stuffed Aflac Insurance duck a hug Friday morning while visiting with District Sales Coordinator Steve Johnson and Sharon Miller, right, during the annual Iowa Central Community College Career Fair.

“We’ve recruited someone out of here every year for the past three,” he said.

Rachel Stanberg, Otho, was visiting with a number of potential new employers.

“I’m looking for something in administrative, marketing or public relations,” she said.

As an added bonus to being able to talk to prospective employers, she also picked up a new water bottle, one of many items the various employers were giving away. The nice water bottle would be replacing one that had “accidentally” gotten used for tea.

“Most of the things I got are things I actually need,” she said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Chris Buseman, human capital manager with Barilla, talks to students Friday morning during the annual Iowa Central Community College Career Fair in the Career Education Building.

Patrick McAlister, of Bayard, is graduating this year from Iowa Central’s electrical technology program.

He said he was looking for a position as a maintenance electrician.

“I’ve had a couple of offers,” he said.

One of the people he stopped and talked to at the Career Fair was Holly Betten, a talent manager with Landus Cooperative in Farnhamville.

She said they had good reason to attend the fair.

“So we can meet great students like Patrick,” she said.

She’s also impressed with the school’s programs.

“They have very strong programs,” she said.

Iowa Central Career Services Coordinator Jessica Kavanaugh said that 103 employers attended the show and that more than 600 students had registered to attend.

“Our goal is to connect our community, students and businesses,” she said.

She also emphasized that the event isn’t just for the Iowa Central students. It was open to the public and many members of the community attended to meet prospective employers as well.

Of course, attending a Career Fair, besides the possibility of finding a job, also offers the chance to collect a lot of free items being given away.

Besides the usual pens, pencils, candy and chip bag clips, there were also a few unusual items.

The Barilla booth seemed to have the largest collection.

Stress balls shaped like a rock, a cell phone screen cleaner, pasta measures and yes, boxes of pasta.

The interesting items draw attention.

“Generally it does,” Buseman said. “We do a full gamut. It’s amazing how many high school students are interested in a box of pasta.”