Hundreds of students attend career expo at Portsmouth Health Care
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Portsmouth Gets Ready for a Major Career Expo, Bringing Local Businesses and Students Together
Portsmouth is set to host a bustling career expo on Saturday, July 24 – 2024, at the Portsmouth Community Center. The event, billed as “Career Expo Portsmouth 1024,” will draw local employers, career counselors, and students from across the region, offering a one‑day marketplace of opportunities for high‑school and college graduates, as well as working professionals looking to pivot or advance their careers.
What the Expo Will Offer
The three‑hour expo (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) will feature more than 30 booths representing a wide spectrum of industries, including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, finance, and hospitality. Companies such as Portsmouth General Hospital, Aetna Health Services, Boston Scientific, and JPMorgan Chase will have dedicated spaces to showcase open positions, internships, and graduate programs. In addition to job listings, several employers will offer on‑site interviews, giving attendees a chance to secure a meeting with hiring managers before the event even ends.
In addition to the employer presence, the expo will host a series of workshops designed to equip attendees with the skills they need to stand out in a competitive job market. Topics include resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview techniques, and networking strategies. Career coaches from the New Hampshire Department of Labor’s Office of Career Development and the Portsmouth Career Services Center will lead breakout sessions that can be booked for a brief 30‑minute consultation during the event.
Students and recent graduates will also have access to “Career Discovery” stations, where they can explore career pathways in depth through interactive displays and one‑on‑one conversations with industry experts. For those who are still deciding on a major, the expo’s “Industry Immersion” corner will provide informational handouts and virtual reality experiences that give a glimpse into day‑to‑day roles in manufacturing, biotech, and software development.
Community and Economic Impact
Portsmouth Mayor Lisa Fennell highlighted the expo’s importance for the local economy. “Our city has been growing, and we’re proud to showcase the talent and business opportunities right here in Portsmouth,” Fennell said. “Events like this help us keep the workforce engaged and attract new companies to the area.”
According to data from the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, the city’s population has risen by nearly 5 % over the past five years, with a corresponding increase in the number of small and medium‑sized businesses. The chamber’s report indicates that Portsmouth’s median household income increased from $60,000 in 2019 to $67,000 in 2023, driven largely by new jobs in healthcare and tech sectors. The upcoming expo aligns with the chamber’s “Portsmouth Economic Growth Initiative,” which seeks to strengthen local employment prospects and reduce out‑migration of young talent.
The event also aligns with statewide efforts to boost workforce readiness. The New Hampshire Department of Labor estimates that the state’s employment rate increased from 94.7 % in 2022 to 96.3 % in 2023. The department’s career outreach program, highlighted in the expo’s program guide, partners with local schools to provide career counseling and internship placements.
How to Attend
Attendance is free, and the event is open to all residents of New Hampshire and the surrounding New England area. Attendees can register online through the Portsmouth Career Expo website, which offers a downloadable flyer and a detailed agenda. The website also includes a section on how to prepare for the day, with tips on what to bring (resume copies, professional attire, business cards) and how to schedule appointments with employer representatives.
For those who cannot attend in person, the expo will be streamed live on the Portsmouth Community Center’s YouTube channel. The streamed sessions will include recordings of the keynote address, workshops, and a “virtual booth” tour that highlights each employer’s presence. This feature is particularly valuable for students who may not have the resources to travel to Portsmouth but still want to explore the local job market.
Follow‑up Opportunities
In addition to the expo, employers and attendees can explore further resources through linked platforms:
- Portsmouth Career Services Center (https://www.portsmouthnh.gov/careers) offers a database of job openings in the region and provides one‑on‑one career counseling.
- The New Hampshire Department of Labor’s Office of Career Development (https://www.nh.gov/labor) offers a range of services, including career fairs, resume workshops, and job placement assistance.
- Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce (https://www.portsmouthchamber.org) maintains an online directory of local businesses and provides networking events and business development resources.
- The University of New Hampshire at Manchester (https://www.unh.edu/online) has a career services program that partners with local employers to facilitate internships and job placements for university students.
Attendees are encouraged to explore these resources before and after the expo to maximize their chances of finding a rewarding career path.
Looking Ahead
Portsmouth’s Career Expo 1024 is part of a broader strategy to create a vibrant, interconnected community where talent meets opportunity. By bringing together employers, educators, and job seekers, the city aims to nurture a workforce that can adapt to the evolving demands of the regional economy. With its blend of networking, education, and hands‑on experience, the expo promises to be a pivotal event for those seeking to launch or advance their careers in the New England corridor.
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[ https://www.wmur.com/article/career-expo-portsmouth-1024/69152540 ]