On Friday, for the first time since Feb. 2020, Augusta University hosted its annual career fair in person, according to Julie Goley.
Goley, director of the university’s Career Services office, said about 400 people attended the fair, which was open to students, alumni, and community members. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with representatives from 89 organizations, including Piedmont Augusta, Sig Cox Heating and Air Conditioning, and the National Security Agency.
“Employers were up about 15 percent and job seekers up 25 percent from the 2020 event,” she said. “There seemed to be an increased focus on internship recruitment but plenty of full-time opportunities as well.”
Goley said among the organizations represented at the fair, the three career fields with the largest need for employees were education, law enforcement, and healthcare.
At his annual Economic Outlook Breakfast, Dr. Simon Medcalfe said the demand for healthcare workers has grown exponentially in recent years, and that trend is expected to continue.
“The number of physician assistant jobs in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area grew by 500 percent between 2013 and 2021 and is expected to grow by another 28 percent by 2031,” according to Medcalfe.
“Of the top 25 occupations with the fastest projected growth, 12 are in healthcare or computer and mathematical jobs,” he said.
