The Brooklyn-Staten Island Collegiate Job Fair yesterday at the
College of Staten Island was fairly crowded with students, but some
of the tables had few visitors.
"We were very excited to have 90 employers come out because of the
current state of the economy," said Caryl Watkins, director of
career placement, scholarships and awards at CSI.
But while some employers attracted crowds, the Navy, Army, Army
National Guard and Army Corps of Engineers tables were quiet.
"It seems like the people who were always interested are now more
interested, and the ones who were never interested are even less
interested," said Army Sgt. Jason Carabello.
Between 11 a.m. and noon, only a few people approached the Army and
Navy locations, and that was for brief conversations. During that
same time, the Army Corps of Engineers and Army National Guard
received no visitors.
"Interest is down," said Navy Petty Officer Second Class Eric
Kinzler. "We are trying to show people what the officer training
program can do for them. If people want to show their patriotism,
they should serve in the Navy."
Marty Goff and Victoria Gross of the Army Corps of Engineers
expressed their concern about the lack of interest in their table at
the Job Fair.
"People are scared because they see the word Army, but we are mostly
civilians," said Goff.
They explained that the Army Corps of Engineers is the largest
engineering organization in the country, with about 40,000
employees, and 90 percent are civilians.
In contrast, the Customs Service received a fair amount of interest.
"It's always been a great place to work," said Customs
representative Mike Chona. "Now people are seeing us more on the
news and it is getting their interest up. They want to contribute to
the defense of their country and this is a way for them to do that."
Representatives from the Army National Guard also said interest was
down. They would not elaborate as to why.
The Air Force was also supposed to have representatives at the fair,
but canceled yesterday morning.
"We always have cancellations on the morning of, but it is strange
to have it be someone like the Air Force, especially with the world
the way it is right now," said Ms. Watkins.
Military interest seems much lower than in other years, she said.
"Usually those tables have long lines, but this year not many people
are approaching them," she said.
