TEMECULA: Area teens flock to job fair

Citing poor economy, young people say they need work

By JENNIFER KABBANY - For The Californian | Saturday, October 4, 2008 6:54 PM PDT ∞

TEMECULA ---- Nick Magos, 18, has been looking for a job for several months.

The Murrieta Valley High School senior has tried shops in The Promenade mall, local golf courses, Best Buy and Kohls, just to name a few.

"It seems like it's impossible to get a job right now," he said. "I get callbacks and interviews, but nothing pans out."

But on Saturday, Magos said he felt his luck was about to change. Walking out of the Temecula Youth Employment Expo, he said he attended informative workshops, handed in several applications and spoke with business officials looking to hire.

"I'm pretty hopeful," he said.

Magos was one of hundreds of teens and young people who flocked to the expo at the Mt. San Jacinto College Temecula Education Complex on Saturday in search of a job, as well as some guidance on how to edge out other applicants.

With the economy taking a nosedive, adults are snatching up jobs teens normally get, said Corinna Coram, chairwoman of the event.

"Teens are feeling frustrated," she said. "Hopefully this will give them something that can help them stand out to employers."

Halfway through the event, about 300 people had arrived at the complex, and organizers said they were expecting another 300 to stop by before the expo ended.

Some teens came with their mom or dad at their side, encouraging them along. But most came dressed in business attire, resumes at the ready.

Among the latter group was Monique Reynoso, a 17-year-old senior at Vista Murrieta High School, who has been looking for a job for months with no luck.

Monique said she needs money to make car payments and save for college, and was excited by the prospects presented at the expo.

Twenty-year-old Drake Radcliffe, another expo attendee, said he hasn't had a problem getting a job ---- just keeping one.

"The economy took a dive, and now every time I get a job it seems like after a few months they have to lay off, and I am one of them because I'm one of the new guys," he said.

Currently unemployed, Radcliffe said he feels invigorated about his job prospects thanks to the expo.

"It was great," he said. "I got to see a bunch of people and talk to them face-to-face instead of applying online."

Business representatives said they appreciated a chance to get their brand out to a young market, and many were even accepting applications.

Among them were the managers of the Temecula and Murrieta Sizzler restaurants, who had handed out 60 applications by mid-day.

Harrah's Casino officials said they had handed out dozens of business cards to people, encouraging them to apply online.

Harrah's Employment and Scheduling Manager Paul Schreiner said that even though the company only has a handful of openings right now, participating in the expo prompts young people to think about a career with casinos, which includes hotel, restaurant, shopping and gaming opportunities.

As employers and young people chatted it up at booth displays, several workshops took place inside the complex's many classrooms on topics such as interviewing techniques and resume tips.

Meggan LaRiviere, a 17-year-old senior at Murrieta Valley High School, sat in on the "starting a small business" workshop. Meggan said she has always been drawn to the arts, and wants to open a wedding photography business once out of college.

The workshop's moderator, Max Bosetti, encouraged the teens to take an accounting class, develop a business plan and talk to experts. But most importantly, he said, be passionate about the business to help it succeed.

"Passion is what makes a small business go," he said.

For attending a workshop, young people were given a certificate that they can attach to resumes to help them stand out from a pile of applications, Coram said.

While area job fairs for teens have been conducted before, Saturday's event marked the second time the Temecula Youth Employment Expo has been held.

Coram said organizers hope to make it an annual event.