Nationwide teacher shortages have schools eagerly searching for qualified job candidates.
Every year the Utah Association for Employment in Education (UAEE) hosts the Southern Utah Teacher Fair for college students interested in education careers. The fair will be held at BYU in the Wilkinson Student Center Ballroom from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2017.
The BYU career fair director of education, Derek Jack, said the fair gives students the chance to see what positions are available and with Utah’s teacher shortages, signing bonuses and open contracts will likely be offered.
“All you have to do is show up and walk down a hall or walk down an aisle way, and you will be approached by a school district wanting you,” Jack said. “That’s the exciting part of it—they’re desperate to talk to someone.”
Utah recently reported teacher shortages in areas including chemistry, mathematics, and physics, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Another advantage for students attending the fair is that schools and districts from eleven differing states will all be in one place. It takes care of the hassle of scheduling and travel to contact them.
“You can just bust it out all in one day,” Jack said.
Most of these schools will be holding screening interviews at the fair, and students may sign-up for them beginning at 10:00 a.m. the day of the fair. Check this list to see which schools are interviewing at the fair.
“Interviews will be going on in this room—the Garden Court—and every other available space we can find in this building, including all the interview rooms in Career Services,” Jack said. “It is quite a sight to see.”
The UAEE has outlined Six Steps to Career Fair Success to help students best prepare to meet with a recruiter. University Career Services is also hosting a Teacher Fair Prep Workshop on Saturday, March 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Tanner Building, 1st Floor. Students may find additional information to assist them in preparing for the fair here.
The Southern Utah Teacher Fair is not limited to BYU students, and the UAEE will also be holding a Northern Utah Teacher Fair on the Utah State University campus Wednesday, March 22, 2017. For detailed information regarding both Utah teacher fairs, download the Utah Teacher Career Fair App by searching for “Utah Teacher Career Fair Plus” on the App Store or the Google Play Store.