The West Central Texas Career Consortium is hosting a casual part-time job fair Wednesday at Hardin-Simmons University from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

James Greer, the president of WCTCC, said the goal of the fair is to “bring employers who are wanting part time college students together with the college students.”

The fair is a great way for newcomers to Abilene, or job seeking students, to connect with employers. The compact environment allows students to meet with a large amount of employers and see what employment opportunities are available to them.

The idea for the fair came about when the WCTCC began discussing ways they could assist students early in the year to find local jobs. This is the second year the fair has been held.

Emily Morrical, sophomore family studies major from Wylie said “it is difficult for some students to find work because, for example, I do not have a car so I am limited to the jobs on campus which there are not a ton of.”

The fair is designed with college students in mind. The dress is casual and students do not need to bring resumes or recommendation letters .

“The genius is that this is very casual,” Greer said.

Although it is a casual fair, Greer advises students to take the opportunities available seriously. This includes researching the employers that will be represented at the fair and becoming familiar with their company policies.

“Like any job fair the more prepared you are and the more knowledgeable you are about the employer it puts you ahead,” he said.

The fair was very successful last year at connecting students with part time jobs, however advertising the fair is difficult because students are often hesitant to attend events hosted by another university. The WCTCC is working very “diligently,” Greer said, to promote the fair to students outside of HSU and encourage attendance from all universities.

A list of employers attending the fair is available at www.wctcc.org.