EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Ten years ago, school districts didn’t need to attend job fairs to fill positions, according to a representative for Anchor Bay School District in southeast Michigan.

But now, it’s an excellent time to be a graduating teacher because employers come to you to fill their positions.

More than 130 registered schools and school districts from across the country recruited graduating education students at Eastern Michigan University’s 2018 Teacher Job Fair, held last month at Bowen Field House on the Eastern campus.

Candidates met with employers and participated in live interviews, sometimes with the potential for on-the-spot job offers.

“Depending on your subject area, you can basically go where you want to go, especially in fields like math, science, and special education,” said a representative for Global Educational Excellence, an educational management company based in Ann Arbor.

EMU’s Teacher Job Fair is the largest in Michigan, with many local employers attending as well as employers from thousands of miles away.

A representative from Nome Public Schools in Nome, Alaska, said he traveled 14 hours to attend the job fair.

“When new people come to town, they bring new ideas and experiences,” said the representative for Nome. “We’re looking for somebody who is professional, believes in strong pedagogy, and most importantly cares strongly about kids.”

Before attending the event, candidates used the Fairs App to view employers’ booth locations and open positions.

“We’re mostly looking for certain certifications like special education, foreign language, career technical education and sciences,” said the representative for Anchor Bay, which serves communities in southern St. Clair and northeastern Macomb counties. “Those are the positions in highest demand. Those candidates can just pick where they want to go.”

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.