In a tight job market, USF Sarasota-Manatee helps local employers and residents connect  

SARASOTA (October 27, 2006) – In a region where the unemployment rate is less than three percent and continues to fall, some local employers have trouble finding qualified employees.

Likewise, local residents often welcome the chance to check out multiple local employers and educational opportunities quickly and efficiently, all in one location.  

A solution for both groups happens next week, at the new Sarasota-Manatee campus of the University of South Florida. 

USF Sarasota-Manatee is helping students, alumni and community members connect with local employers during the Career and Education Expo on Wednesday, November 1 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the new USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, in the William G. Selby and Marie Selby Auditorium. The new USF Sarasota-Manatee campus is located at 8350 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, across from the SRQ airport.  

The event, which is free and open to the public, is designed to assist USF Sarasota-Manatee students and alumni with employment opportunities and education options.  

Local employers attending the event include Clear Channel Communications, Verizon, Jackson Hewitt, FCCI, Sarasota and Manatee County Schools, Walgreens, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, IMG Academies and SunTrust bank, among many others. 

The event will also provide information about the 39 different academic programs and more than 800 courses that are offered by the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus.  

“This Career and Education Expo will offer a great range of local opportunities -- for local jobs and local options for additional education,” said Toni Ripo, Coordinator of Career Services. “We’ve designed the event to be a beneficial ‘one-stop shop’ for our area’s employers and residents.”  

Employers from a wide variety of industries -- including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, consumer goods, non-profit and government -- will be offering employment opportunities.  Representatives from admissions, financial aid and academic advising will also be available to answer questions about certificate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered by USF Sarasota-Manatee.   

For more details, visit the Career & Education Expo page or call Toni Ripo at (941) 359-4586.  

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for those with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree who are interested in getting a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. The regional USF campus offers the prestige of a national Research 1 university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at our Manatee Community College Venice site.