The city’s SLATE job center hosted a job fair for those interested in the healthcare sector on March 26. After widespread layoffs and worksite closures, job seekers gathered in the SLATE office on Market Street.
The unemployment rate in the St. Louis region increased in 2024, according to statistics gathered by researchers at St. Louis Community College. The region saw an increase in unemployment last year jumping from 2.7% in April 2023 to 3.4% in March 2024.
The healthcare sector took a hit after a three-bed urgent care center controversially named Homer G. Phillips Hospital was shut down earlier this month, displacing at least 80 employees.
SLATE Executive Director Fredrecka McGlown said the former hospital’s employees, many of which were hourly, are in search of a job.
“We wanted to be very intentional to ensure that this one helped focus on healthcare and biosciences in particular,” McGlown said.
“So not just your traditional nurses and doctors, but anything that helps operate a facility with regard to healthcare.”
Among those who participated in the fair included the city’s department of personnel, BJC, and job corps.
Tonya Farr, with the city’s department of personnel, said the importance of a career fair is the personal touch that it provides for job seekers.
“It’s so important, whether it’s with the city or with some of these other organizations, especially those who are not skilled in interviewing to be able to help walk them through the process, to help them understand how to get their resumes seen,” Farr said.
“It means a lot, and it really can mean a lot in them being able to get that job with their CV.”
Farr said though the job market may seem bleak, there are people willing and able to hire those who are diligent and persevere through multiple rejections.
“Keep applying. Don’t give up just because you don’t get a call back from the first job. Keep applying, keep asking questions, and keep improving on your own skills so that you make yourself a viable employee,” she said.
McGlown said the biggest barrier to the hiring process is that people don’t know how to market their soft skills. Earning degrees and certifications are not the only ways to get hired in this market, so long as job seekers can market themselves in a way that sets them apart from others.
“I think people put a lot of emphasis on the credential, the certification, the degree, but you also have to make sure that our young people specifically are effective communicators, and that they know how to communicate, that they know how to show up to work on time, that they’re punctual, and that they work well with other people,” McGlown said.
Ahmeenah Howard is a job seeker who currently styles hair. She said she wants to get back to a nine-to-five lifestyle, and she showed up to the job fair as soon as the doors opened at 9 a.m. She came to the fair to find a job as a receptionist or in the trades.
“These career fairs help younger people stay off the streets. It helps them find something to do, as well as find them a career they can stick with and bring some money home to their families,” Howard said.
She said she’s thankful to the SLATE offices for caring about the unemployed youth who are trying to better their lives. She enjoys the energy and all the people that work for the program.
“After this,” Howard said. “I’m going to go home, get online and start the process of finding my new career.”
Namratha Prasad is an NBC Universal/reporter for the St. Louis American.