East Texas employers: Join us for a Business Leaders’ Series Workshop on Tuesday, September 29.

After 30 years with the same employer, Ms. Paul never imagined she would have to start over. Her career with a staffing company had been built over three decades of experience in customer service and payroll. Then, without warning, she was laid off. “It was nerve-wracking. I’m a single mom of two. How are we going to survive?” After such a long career with one employer, Ms. Paul wasn't sure where to begin. The job market had changed, and she worried about finding a position that valued her experience while meeting her salary needs. That's when she discovered Workforce Solutions East Texas and the RESEA program. Ms. Paul initially knew very little about RESEA. Through the program, she discovered the resources available through WorkInTexas.com, including the Virtual Recruiter, Resume Builder, job search tools, career exploration resources, and WIOA opportunities. But the greatest impact came from the personalized support of her Career Navigator, Cheryl Jackson. Cheryl helped Ms. Paul update her resume, explore new career possibilities, prepare for interviews, and regain confidence in a job market she hadn't navigated in 30 years. “Cheryl gave me the confidence to job search and interview. Thirty years ago was so different from now, so her guidance was very helpful.” Through career exploration and mock interviews, Ms. Paul discovered opportunities she had never considered and gained the confidence to present her skills to employers. “She gave me the confidence and support I needed.” Today, Ms. Paul is working in payroll and invoicing for a staffing company and will soon take on additional responsibilities in fleet management. What began as an unexpected and frightening transition became a new chapter filled with possibility. RESEA didn't just connect Ms. Paul with resource, it helped her recognize that after 30 years of experience, she wasn't starting over. She was moving forward with confidence. Her advice to others facing an unexpected job loss is simple: “Use all of your resources. You never know where a job will come from, so use everything.” 

Ten years, 40 employers, 302 job seekers, and a record-breaking turnout — the Jacksonville Job Fair continues to grow as one of the community’s premier opportunities to connect local talent with local careers. This year’s event marked the 10th annual partnership between Workforce Solutions East Texas, the Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, and was the largest Jacksonville Job Fair to date. For a decade, these three organizations have worked together to create a space where employers can meet qualified candidates, and job seekers can discover career opportunities throughout the Jacksonville area. The event’s continued growth demonstrates the value of bringing the business and workforce communities together and the strong demand for opportunities close to home. The partnership continues to evolve by finding new ways to prepare and engage the community before the job fair even begins. Last year, organizers introduced a dedicated hour for Jacksonville High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) students, giving students the opportunity to meet employers, explore local career options, and learn more about the possibilities available to them after high school. Following the success of that effort, the invitation was extended to Jacksonville High School CTE students again this year. Workforce Solutions East Texas also expanded its local support for job seekers by hosting two Job Connection Workshops in Jacksonville leading up to the event. The workshops were designed to help residents arrive at the job fair prepared and confident, with assistance covering resume development, interviewing, effective job search strategies, and career guidance from members of the workforce development team. These efforts helped turn the job fair into more than a single day of employer and job seeker connections. By providing career exploration for students and preparation of resources for residents, the partnership created multiple opportunities for the community to engage with employers and take the next step toward employment. With 40 employers and 302 job seekers participating, this year’s record turnout represents more than impressive attendance numbers. It reflects a community ready to work, employers ready to hire, and a decade-long partnership committed to strengthening Jacksonville’s workforce. As the Jacksonville Job Fair looks toward its next decade, Workforce Solutions East Texas, the Jacksonville EDC, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce remain committed to building connections that help local businesses find talent and help Jacksonville residents find meaningful career opportunities in their community.