Record Number of Job Seekers Attend 13th Annual Conroe Job Fair

CONROE, TX -- With a color-coordinated square tucked into the outer pocket of the midnight blue suit jacket he wore on top of his button-down dress shirt, 22-year-old Maso Mason III asked two volunteers staffing the welcome booth inside the Lone Star Convention Center if they had a stapler he could use. The 22-year-old, displaying both business professional attire and his confidence through newly acquired interview prep skills, was in search of a stapler to fasten together the two pages of his resume before passing it out to prospective employers at the 13th annual Conroe Job Fair held January 28th.

“I know this is the start of something great,” Maso shared about his experience attending his first Conroe job fair. “I’ve been doing my research for a few weeks, and I’m looking to get into fabrication and manufacturing.”

Pursuing a role as a production worker as he transitions to civilian life after serving nearly three years as a Fire Controlman in the U.S. Navy, Mason III utilized the job fair’s resume and interview workshop to help him stand out to the 51 prospective employers in attendance. In fact, he even took advantage of the computer lab constructed inside the job fair to print copies of his resume.

“Honestly, I would have been lost without this,” Maso said of the event presented by the Conroe Economic Development Council (Conroe EDC) and Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber. “It’s awesome to see how much the community is willing to put forward for those of us pursuing careers.”

Blake Tennery was among the 725 job seekers on hand – a new record for the annual event which was co-sponsored by Crown Brand-Building Packaging and ResourceMFG. Like Maso, Blake also attended the workshop in advance of the job fair as he explores a career pivot that would bring him closer to home and present him with a more desirable shift.

“Learning how to fill out our resumes, maintain eye contact, introduce ourselves and give proper handshakes really gives you something to take into the job fair experience,” Tennery, who had never attended a job fair anywhere prior to Conroe’s, admitted. “This is the best way to be set up to find the career you’re after.”

Blake credits his father for suggesting he attend the job fair and cites the in-person interaction with businesses as one of the many resources available to attendees.

“I’m a type 1 diabetic,” Blake revealed. “Therefore, finding work can often be a challenge. So, having face-to-face opportunities at this job fair and shaking their hands to present myself and my situation is so important.”

During a visit to the job fair, Conroe Industrial Development Corporation councilman Scott Mrosko was hoping to personally thank employees of companies operating booths – only to encounter what he considers to be a wonderful “problem” for his city.

“I wanted to speak with a lot of the people at the booths, and I can't – they’re too busy talking to potential candidates,” Mrosko noted. “The turnout is unbelievable. I’m so impressed. This just really displays and exemplifies how much the city of Conroe has grown and highlights the opportunities that do lie here. More are coming, too.”

Headquartered in Conroe, Galdisa USA manufactures peanut products for industrial, wholesale and retail markets in the United States and has attended the job fair on multiple occasions.

“We always have a lot of prospective employees come by our booth,” Michelle Barcenas, office clerk/human resources assistant for Galdisa USA, said while hoping to fill five positions during the job fair. “We actually have people we’ve hired from previous job fairs here working with us right now. It’s a great example of how impactful this can be.”

“There are few things more satisfying than being able to facilitate an event to help local businesses hire qualified team members right here in their backyard,” explained Jennifer Matthews, Associate Director of the Conroe EDC. “We were overjoyed to provide a record number of job seekers with the resources, training and opportunities to advance their careers which will help Conroe continue to prosper.”

From individuals looking to secure a two-page resume to those looking to secure a future, for 13 years the Conroe job fair has become a staple of the EDC’s commitment to bring jobs and enhance the strength of Conroe’s economy.