New York Q&A: How is the Job Hunting Going?

At a Harlem job fair Wednesday, The Epoch Times asked job seekers: What is your employment situation and how did the job fair help you?
New York Q&A: How is the Job Hunting Going?
Gregory Furtson, 58 , used to be a residential counselor. Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times
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NEW YORK– At a Harlem job fair on Wednesday Aug. 15, The Epoch Times asked job seekers: What is your employment situation and how did the job fair help you?

Benita Sewer, 30, student at CUNY

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Benita+Sewer+job_Chasteen_IMG_58091.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-281792" title="Benita Sewer, 30, a student at NYC College. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Benita+Sewer+job_Chasteen_IMG_58091-676x450.jpg" alt="Benita Sewer, 30, a student at NYC College. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" width="350" height="233"/></a>
Benita Sewer, 30, a student at NYC College. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

I have learned and gained experience of the work environment where jobs are opening now. It’s mostly training that they’re looking for, which is great because that gives people an advantage when jobs are open. I’m content with this fair. I’ve been to 25 fairs this past year. I’m currently studying public relations at the City College of New York. I want to be a public relations specialist. 

 

 

Albert King, 57, previously a cook at a medical center

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Albert+King+job_Chasteen_IMG_58141.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-281795" title="Albert King, 57, previously a cook at NY Medical Center, at a job and careers fair in Harlem, Manhattan on Aug. 15, 2012. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Albert+King+job_Chasteen_IMG_58141-676x450.jpg" alt="Albert King, 57, previously a cook at NY Medical Center, at a job and careers fair in Harlem, Manhattan on Aug. 15, 2012. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" width="350" height="233"/></a>
Albert King, 57, previously a cook at NY Medical Center, at a job and careers fair in Harlem, Manhattan on Aug. 15, 2012. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

I’ve worked all my life. This is my first time at a job fair. I’ve been unemployed for over a year now. It’s exhilarating. You have so many things to choose from. I look for a job everyday online, and I’m in a program at Goodwill, Lord it’s hard. Online you just get an outline, but you get the full information here when you talk to people. They actually look through your résumé; they tell you how many openings they have. It was beneficial for me. Food service, security, technical. … Some don’t even need experience. I picked up a free technology class this Friday. I think I’m   going to go do that too.

 

Lucille Omaro, 29, previously a cashier 

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Lucille+O++job_Chasteen_IMG_5825.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-281797" title="Lucille Omaro, 29, currently a photographer for Yankee Stadium. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Lucille+O++job_Chasteen_IMG_5825-676x450.jpg" alt="Lucille Omaro, 29, currently a photographer for Yankee Stadium. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" width="350" height="233"/></a>
Lucille Omaro, 29, currently a photographer for Yankee Stadium. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

I’ve had jobs as cashiers. I came here because I want to do something different, get into banking, or maybe become a home health aide. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Renee Rol, 49, administrative work

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Renne+Rol++job_Chasteen_IMG_5834.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-281802" title="Renne Rol, 49, at a job and Career fair in Harlem, Manhattan on Aug. 15, 2012. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Time)" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Renne+Rol++job_Chasteen_IMG_5834-676x450.jpg" alt="Renne Rol, 49, at a job and Career fair in Harlem, Manhattan on Aug. 15, 2012. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Time)" width="350" height="233"/></a>
Renne Rol, 49, at a job and Career fair in Harlem, Manhattan on Aug. 15, 2012. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Time)

I do have two leads. One was Time Warner, the second one is Enterprise Incorporated; they took my résumé. Hopefully they will call. I’ve been unemployed for about a year now. I was doing administrative work. This is my first job fair. I’ve been diligent in seeking new jobs every day. 

 

 

 

 

 Michael White, 19

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Michael+White++job_Chasteen_IMG_5842.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-281805" title="Michael White, 19. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Michael+White++job_Chasteen_IMG_5842-676x450.jpg" alt="Michael White, 19. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" width="350" height="233"/></a>
Michael White, 19. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

I just finished school. This is my first time at a job fair. I met a lot of good people today. They’re all willing to talk to you and help you. I’m looking for some construction work before I join the Army. They gave out good resources.

 

 

 

 

 Gregory Furtson, 58 

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Gregory+Furtson++job_Chasteen_IMG_5849.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-281807" title="Gregory Furtson, 58 , used to be a residential counselor. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/20120815_Gregory+Furtson++job_Chasteen_IMG_5849-676x450.jpg" alt="Gregory Furtson, 58 , used to be a residential counselor. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)" width="350" height="233"/></a>
Gregory Furtson, 58 , used to be a residential counselor. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

I used to be a residential counselor. I’ve been unemployed for three years. I was very actively looking for a job last year. I often come to these job fairs. I’ve been to five this past year. I’m looking for a job as a substance counselor, case manager, outreach work.

 

 

 

 

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