A sign promotes the upcoming Summer Job Fair, which will now be held in Student Center 103. (Photo by: Elizabeth Taylor)

Summer is quickly approaching, and if you are looking to earn money during the school break, the JCCC Career Development Center has an event for you. The center is hosting the first ever Summer Job Fair on April 16 in Student Center 103.

We met with Career Development Coach Julie Kim to talk about the event. 

“The summer job fair is a career fair,” Kim said. “So far we have thirteen companies coming, [and] employers from the Kansas City area. Some are going to be nonprofits, like Overland Park Parks and Recreation or fast food businesses, we have daycare or landscaping. [We have] different opportunities where companies are coming to campus to discuss with students about the job opportunities they have. Specifically for the Summer Job Fair, it’s going to be summer jobs or part-time roles. So they’re looking to hire very quickly.”

The list of businesses that will be present the day of the event has not been published yet, but Kim was able tell us that along with the Overland Park Parks and Recreation (for lifeguarding and management roles), the Jewish Community Center (J KC), Raising Canes, Boys & Girls Club, and companies in the landscaping and roofing business will be there. 

“[There are] different types of roles that have a lot of flexibility for our students,” Kim said. “We have a lot of full-time students or they’re not able to work all year round at a full-time job, but they would like to make money over the summer. So this is a good opportunity.”

Johnson County Community College will also be present at the event, which is good news for international students, who are only allowed to work on campus. 

“I know that we have a lot of international students who have to be looking for positions on campus,” Kim said. “So this is a great opportunity to find out what positions are coming up for the summer, that they can apply to right away. Maybe even get some ideas or tips [and] advice on how to make their application very successful, because I know it feels so frustrating for a lot of students that they’re not able to get the positions that they really need.” 

According to Kim, it is the perfect time to be looking and applying for a summer job. 

“Right now is really a great time [to be looking and applying for a summer job],” Kim said. “That’s why it’s a good intersection of they’re getting ready, they’re getting children registered for these summer programs, or they’re gearing up. The weather is improving. So they’re thinking, ‘OK, some of these companies, their busy season is the summertime or they’re seasonal types of companies, and so they need staff.’”

Kim says there are items to bring with you to the event. 

“Some of them will just have computer applications, but if you do have a resume, it is good to bring that and have it prepared,” Kim said.

This is the first summer Job Fair, but the Center has other career events throughout the year. 

“We have Careers and Conversations. It is like a job fair, but it doesn’t have to be for students who are looking for full-time work,” Kim said. “It’s just exploration for any student who wants to learn about companies in the area and what types of work they’re hiring for. So that happens in the fall and in the spring. So we have two different opportunities that companies come to campus. And people do get hired, they get internships, they get part-time and full-time jobs. So those are also great career events where companies are coming to campus.” 

According to Kim, it is always a good thing to be able to meet with companies in person. 

“Whenever companies do come to campus, I really encourage students to meet them because that’s just one more way that you’re going to show them how wonderful you are versus just a piece of paper,” Kim said.

Aside from the career events, there are opportunities to meet with the Career Center.  

“[Students] can just drop in to ask a quick question or [they] can set up appointments over the phone or just emailing us,” Kim said.

The 2025 Summer Job Fair will take place on April 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information on the Career Development Center, click here.