By Jennifer Jahn
NKyTribune staff writer
Job seekers looking for meaningful work will have the opportunity to connect with organizations making a difference across the region during the third annual Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Nonprofit Career Fair on August 20 at the Kenton Public Library Covington Branch.
Hosted by the Kenton County Public Library in partnership with Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News (GCNN), the event is designed to connect mission-driven employers with individuals seeking careers that positively impact their communities.
According to Career Navigator Librarian Alisha Copley, the career fair was created to fill a gap in the region.
“There’s an obvious need for a career fair focused solely on nonprofit work,” Copley said. “Our mission is to help job seekers looking for a purpose connect with mission-driven employers.”
Although she was not involved in developing the original concept, Copley assumed leadership of the event after a former colleague left the library. Working alongside GCNN and the programming staff at the Covington branch, she helped bring the inaugural fair to life.
The first event featured approximately 20 nonprofit employers. Attendance grew by an estimated 30 percent during the second year, and organizers are hopeful that trend will continue this year.
The career fair is particularly valuable because of the library’s extensive network of job seekers. Copley said Kenton County Public Library’s career and job services programs have served more than 1,000 job seekers and alumni, creating an ideal opportunity to match experienced professionals with organizations in need of skilled employees.
“Our team meets people all the time who have spent years developing wonderful skills in the private sector and corporate world but are now looking for work that directly improves their communities,” she said. “We know nonprofits need that talent.”
Registration for employers is currently underway throughout July, but several organizations have already committed to attending, including Gateway Community and Technical College, Best Point Education & Behavioral Health, St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Learning Grove.
Those organizations alone are seeking to fill more than 50 positions, ranging from nurses, athletic trainers and medical assistants to teachers, instructional assistants and care coordinators.
Organizers expect the number and variety of available positions to grow as additional nonprofits register.
Past participants have included Clovernook Center for the Blind, People Working Cooperatively, DCCH Center for Children and Families, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, among others.
While many available positions are expected to be full-time, attendees will also find part-time, seasonal and volunteer opportunities. Copley noted that volunteering can be an excellent way to build experience and become more connected to the community.
In addition to meeting with employers, attendees will have access to Kenton County Public Library’s Career and Job Services team, who will provide information about job search classes, resume assistance and support groups for professionals in career transition. Representatives from Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News will also be available to share information about ongoing nonprofit job opportunities throughout the region.
Ahead of the event, job seekers are encouraged to schedule appointments with a KCPL Career Navigator to polish resumes, practice elevator pitches and prepare for conversations with employers.
To make the most of the event, Copley recommends bringing several copies of an updated resume and even personal business cards to exchange with employers and fellow attendees.
As for attire, she suggests business casual clothing.
“You want to look comfortable and professional without appearing too rigid for the kind of work culture most nonprofits have,” she said.
For first-time career fair attendees, preparation is key. Copley encourages participants to research organizations before arriving by checking the updated employer list on the library’s website and learning about each nonprofit’s mission and values.
This year’s event will primarily focus on networking and recruitment rather than on-site interviews, giving attendees the opportunity to build relationships and learn more about organizations before applying.
While technical qualifications vary by position, Copley said nonprofit employers consistently seek candidates with strong transferable skills such as communication, organization, adaptability, creativity and resourcefulness. Experience in fundraising, leadership, data management and demonstrating measurable impact are also highly valued.
Although many positions mirror those found in the private sector—from marketing and communications to management and administration — the nonprofit environment offers a different kind of reward.
“If you’ve worked in marketing your whole life, those same skills still apply,” Copley said. “The difference is that you’re using them for an organization whose mission aligns with your values and allows you to see the impact you’re making in your community.”
Copley hopes the event will introduce more people to the breadth of nonprofit opportunities available throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
“This is the only career fair in the area dedicated solely to nonprofit work,” she said. “Whether someone is looking for a new career or simply wants to volunteer and give back, this is a great place to start.”
The event is made possible through partnerships with Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News and sponsor Promark Company, whose support helps provide resources for both employers and job seekers.
The Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Nonprofit Career Fair will be held at the Kenton County Public Library’s Covington branch, which is accessible via the TANK bus line and offers free parking for attendees.
Please visit the KCPL website for to register for the 3rd Annual Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Nonprofit Career Fair.
For more job fair tips please visit https://www.kentonlibrary.org/tips-for-attending-a-job-fair/