Acknowledging Challenges and Learning Experiences
Our Job Mobile and Now Hiring sign at the Employment Resource Fair location (parking lot across from First Baptist Church of Kennedy Heights).
In June, we anchored a community event for First Baptist Church of Kennedy Heights. It was an “Employment Resource Fair” aimed to provide local residents with job opportunities and access to mentorship by fostering connections with representatives of these community partner organizations. While the turnout was lower than expected, the experience was rich with learning opportunities and moments of genuine connection.
What Was Planned:
Objective: Our goal was to create an engaging event that would attract a large number of participants and provide them with information about job opportunities, employment resources, and mentorship programs. We even had on-site interviews to expedite their jobseeker journey.
Activities Planned: We organized tables for all of our community partners and employment companies, music for a nice atmosphere, refreshments and even a raffle for a special prize, expecting to draw a crowd eager to enjoy a day of fun and learning.
What Actually Happened:
Turnout: Despite our efforts in marketing and community outreach, the turnout was significantly lower than anticipated. Various factors, including unforeseen local events and limitations on marketing and outreach, impacted attendance.
Execution: Those who attended experienced intimate 1 on 1 conversations and had meaningful interactions with these community pillars and job providers. The smaller crowd allowed for deeper conversations and personalized experiences, which was an unintended yet valuable outcome.
Lessons Learned:
Deepen Community Engagement: We realized the need for more targeted outreach. Engaging with community members through more personalized channels or community influences could enhance awareness and turnout.
Value of Intimate Settings: The small group settings allowed us to get a deeper understanding of the attendees’ experiences and needs when it came to employment and mentorship
Strategize Marketing & Planning: Having enough time and a realistic timeline for an event is vital for proper execution. For example, creating a thorough marketing strategy utilizing organized collaborations with the participants of the event in a seamless campaign.
Conclusion:
Every event is a learning opportunity, and every challenge is a steppingstone to better execution. We are grateful to everyone who participated and shared their day with us. Armed with these insights, we hope to have another opportunity like this one where we can act on what we’ve learned.
