Annual fair brings hundreds of job seekers out in Albany

ALBANY – When a job fair that boasted dozens of companies putting out the red carpet for potential hires, southwest Georgia job-seekers responded, with the line reportedly stretching out the door of a building on the former Albany High School campus when the event opened.

The annual job fair, hosted by the Albany Housing Authority, brings out hundreds of individuals seeking jobs and the opportunity to network.

Among those who came out to the old Albany High campus, which had stations stretching down the hallways and into the cafeteria and band room was Paulus Johnson, an Albany State University student from Namibia who is majoring in criminal justice.

A former Darton College soccer player, Johnson was looking for a job to help him finish out his college career as he plans to graduate in spring 2025.

“I’m just looking for an opportunity, trying to find a job,” he said. “Right now, I’m just trying to find a job to get on my feet: full-time, part-time, it doesn’t matter. Darton brought me here. When it merged (with Albany State) I took a break. I re-enrolled and I’m finishing my bachelor’s.”

The African native said he likes Albany and is looking to stay in the area after he graduates.

“It’s a beautiful community here, very peaceful. I love it here,” he said.

At the Dougherty County station, Environmental Technician Kyndall Sanders was directing job seekers to the county’s employment section on its website. The county currently is seeking environmental control workers and mechanics, among other positions.

“This is my first (job fair),” Sanders said. “We’re talking to them a little bit about what we do in Public Works, speaking with the citizens about the job fair and what we do at Public Works and environmental control.”

It was also the first job fair for Florida native Taloua Cleare, who was making her rounds to the stations in the cafeteria.

“I’m seeing all who’s here,” she said.

The annual job fair brings anywhere from 500 to 800 people out, Mary Josey, the family self-sufficiency coordinator with the Housing Authority, said.

The companies at the fair on Thursday included big-names like MolsonCoors Brewing, Walmart and the Phoebe Putney Health System as well as local law enforcement agencies and other local representatives.

“We have mental health services, child care,” Josey said. “We have Albany Tech. We have just a variety of resources here today. Most of the vendors come every year, and then we have some come in the day of and they want to be a part of it.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
Staff Photo: Alan Mauldin