EL CAJON – One of East County’s largest job fairs returns to Grossmont College October 26 with the 44th Annual Career Expo. The event will include recruiters from school districts, law enforcement agencies, resorts, health care systems, and more.
Organizers anticipate more than 500 people to attend the event, which is being held on campus in the Main Quad for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The job fair is open to the public, and parking and admission are free. The Expo is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“This is one of our signature events and is crucial for building the regional economy,” said Grossmont College Career Services Supervisor Renee Nasori. “There is a huge need among employers to find people who are looking for a good job in a good working environment.”
Business leaders agree. “This annual event is amazing,” said Rick Wilson, President & CEO of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, which is a co-sponsor, along with the Public Consulting Group, the International Rescue Committee, and the San Diego Workforce Partnership. “The past two years we had to do it virtually due to the pandemic, but it was still incredibly impactful and helpful to our community’s needs. Providing opportunities like this for employers and job seekers is a vital part in helping to lift the entire business community.”
A Grossmont College photographer will be on hand to shoot professional portraits for job seekers to add to their resumes, underscoring the college’s dedication to job development. Grossmont College is the leading provider of job training and higher education in the East County, and its Career and Technical Education programs alone are responsible for adding nearly $68 million to the East County economy. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District as a whole contributes $1.1 billion on the San Diego County economy annually, according to a 2021 report.
The Grossmont College Career Center, which is organizing the Career Expo, is a major reason why.
“A key element of our Career Center is building a relationship between Grossmont College, job seekers, and employers in the region,” said Nasori. That effort is not confined to the annual Career Expo and Job Fair. The Career Center holds weekly seminars both in person and online on subjects ranging from advice on interviewing for a job to building a solid resume and dressing for success.
“Grossmont College is much more than a two-year institution,” said Wilson. “Grossmont is well known as a starting point for successful business leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, and other individuals who have benefitted from their robust degree and certificate programs. Grossmont College is truly a gem of East County.”
Employers at the October 26 Expo will also include the City of El Cajon, police departments in El Cajon and Chula Vista, the Santee School District, the San Diego County Department of Education and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, Corporate Technologies LLC, ARC of San Diego, Amazon, San Ysidro Health, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, and the Transportation Security Administration.
“We are proud to partner with East County San Diego businesses and offer training and programs at Grossmont College that get our residents employed, upskilled, or into a new career,” said Grossmont College’s Dean of Career and Workforce Programs Dr. Javier Ayala. “Grossmont College has premier programs and services that allow anyone to start here and go anywhere.”
Employers interested in participating can register at tinyurl.com/CareerEXPO22.
Grossmont College is at 8800 Grossmont College Drive in the Fletcher Hills area of El Cajon.