Yesterday I attended my first Jobing.com Job Expo in my home town of Tucson, Arizona.  Over 130 employers were in attendance speaking with roughly 3,000 job seekers.  It was indeed an event.

At 8:00am I began helping employers bring in materials for their booths.  I unloaded everything from 6 foot stuffed bears and large house plants to flat screen televisions.  However, my attempt to convince the highway patrol that I was the only one authorized to drive their motorcycle into the convention center failed…

After the initial process of setting up I began getting job seekers registered while Pursue the Passion founder Brett Farmiloe worked the door, making sure no one entered the expo before it opened at noon.  I have to admit, I didn’t envy him.  Working the door at a club or bar is one thing, but standing between a man and his livelihood is quite another.  None the less, when the doors finally opened jobs seekers found it worth the wait as resume review, job seeker workshops, on site interview booths and eager employers awaited.

From 12 to 3 there was a non-stop flow of people signing up for the expo.  It was exciting to see the level of need there was for this type of event.  For the sake of candor I have to admit that I was initially discouraged to witness the sheer number of people who needed our help.  However, I quickly realized the fact that I was helping was the most exciting part.  We were encouraging people entering the expo to have fun and when they left you could clearly see they had.  Smiles and stories (not to mention gift bags) were abundant.  I realized what an exciting time in their lives it was for many who entered the show and the potential the experience embodied for all of them. 

I will also use this post as an avenue to articulate one piece of advice to the job seekers.  When en route to an expo, interview or any employment opportunity heed the Boy Scout motto and “Be Prepared”.  I’ve never been one for formality.  The customary exercises one is put through to create the necessary façade during professional exchanges.  However, there is nothing superficial about instilling a sense of confidence in an employer about to invest in your future.  Have your resume, be mentally prepped and dress professionally.  The goal of your interaction with an employer is to leave an impression.  Do all you can to ensure it’s the impression you want to leave.

In the end I had a great time at the expo.  A common theme we found during our interviews across the country was that people who love their work let it inspire them.  One example is the story of a tax accountant who described himself as a champion of the people.  Itt is his job to help his client keep more of their paycheck.  Our motivation is helping people find jobs and better their lives.  This is what I enjoyed most about the expo.  The physical proximity to our inspiration… people finding jobs.

Today is the first day I will work for Jobing without the deliberate guidance of a veteran co-worker.  Needless to say, I’m nervous.  But, I’m also excited at the prospect of defining our niche.  The commitment to training that Jobing has demonstrated over the past 3 weeks is commendable and now Brett and I have to make good on their investment.  We’ve been exposed to all aspects of the Jobing organization.  So we can come in and do something totally unique.

What exactly will that be?  Well…

Over the past year those of us on the trip have become acutely aware of the disconnect between the student community and the professional world they are about to enter.  Very few students are asking the questions necessary to find careers they love and more importantly don’t know where to solicit answers when they do.  In addition, concern is growing in the professional world about how to address the pending “workforce crisis”.  As the baby boomers retire skilled job positions are left open with no skilled labor to fill them.

There is an obvious link between the problems of large scale professional attrition and a lack of professional guidance in the student community.  Discussion is needed, however someone needs to initiate the dialogue, and this is where PTP comes in.  We’re the mediator, the inspiration and the catalyst.  With the help of the Jobing foundation PTP will use community contacts not readily available to other organizations to generate the kind of discussion, excitement and cooperation that will help students find work that excites them in industries that value their contribution.  It’s social entrepreneurship, modern day capitalism… industry with a humanitarian touch.

So for all the friends, family and strangers that have been asking us over the past several months “What is it you’re doing?”  You’ve got the answer.  We’re helping the kids.  We’ll be producing a book and documentary over the next 3 months and developing a speaking program to help spread the PTP message and catalyze productive discussion about work among students.  Clubs, expos and career days will be promoted as forums for young people and employers to interact.  Creating familiarity that will foster mutually beneficial professional relationships.

I you still don’t get it just keep reading the blogs, watch for press releases and stay tuned.  You’ll figure it out as the project develops.  I almost have…

If you have an individual or organization that would like to become involved with the Pursue the Passion project please contact me at, zach.hubbell@jobingfoundation.org.