U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell’s, D-AL, 8th Annual Job Fair drew a diverse crowd of job seekers and employers alike to the campus of Wallace Community College- Selma (WCCS) on Thursday.
Job seekers in attendance ranged from recent college graduates to those looking for a midlife career change.
One such job seeker, Kathleen Craig, heard about the job fair and decided it was just the opportunity she needed to find a job offering better pay, hours and benefits.
“This is the first job fair I’ve attended,” said Craig. “It seemed like a great opportunity, there are so many employers here.”
Job seekers, like Craig, had plenty of options to explore.
Over 70 employers from 14 industries set up shop at the job fair including law enforcement agencies, branches of the U.S. military and corporations like Regions Bank.
Local organization Edmundite Missions were among the employers at the event offering opportunities for a few different jobs
“We are excited to participate in events like Congresswoman Sewell’s Career Fair,” said Edmundite Missions CEO Chad McEachern. “It provides us a great opportunity to tell the incredible story of Missions and find potential candidates who would gain invaluable skills in the apprenticeship program.  It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
Sewell, who often describes herself as a “proud product of the Black Belt” was happy to bring the job fair back to her hometown of Selma.

“This is the second time we’ve been in Selma in eight years,” said Sewell. “We were here six years ago in the height of the recession and had over 2,000 job seekers. We know that we’re doing better in the Black Belt, and nationwide, but we also know that this economic boom, if you will, has not been evenly distributed. There are still pockets of vulnerable communities that have some ways to go.”

Sewell cited the job fair as a place where members of those communities can come to equip themselves with the tools to move forward and find employment.

“Everything, to me, begins with the dignity of a job,” said Sewell. “As long as there are economic needs in the 7^th Congressional District, we will continue to do our annual job fair.”

Sewell expressed her happiness to bring the resources to the people.

“The resources are here today,” she said. “I just want people to take advantage of that.”

Sewell listed WCCS, the job fair’s venue, as one of the resources available.

“I’m honored that Dr. Mitchell let us have this space here at Wallace Community College,” she said. “Wallace Community College is a crown jewel of the Black Belt and it’s a place where people can get certifications in everything from welding to nursing.”

WCCS President Dr. James Mitchell agreed with Sewell in naming Wallace a resource for the people of the Black Belt.

“Wallace is an excellent resource for the Black Belt,” said Mitchell. “That is why we couldn’t be happier in welcoming Congresswoman Sewell’s job fair to our campus.”

Later in the day, representatives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce arrived to present Sewell with the Spirit of Enterprise Award.

“Our goal as an organization is obviously to help grow the U.S. economy,” said Ken Johnson, Executive Director of Congressional and Public Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This award goes to members of congress who help us most in that effort. The Congresswoman [Sewell] has been very allied with the business community and this award recognizes that.”