Hundreds of job seekers met dozens of employers in a one-day hiring blitz designed to connect local talent with regional opportunity.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — It’s not every day you can go from handing out résumés to shaking hands with executives before lunch. But that’s exactly what happened at the 2025 Grand Valley Job Fair, held April 24 at Lincoln Park — an event that felt as much like a local reunion as a career fair.

Hosted by the Mesa County Workforce Center and Colorado Mesa University (CMU), the event pulled in job seekers from across the valley, all looking to make their next move. And with tables stretching from healthcare providers to construction firms, there was something for almost everyone.

“We Wanted Everyone to See Themselves Here”

From the start, inclusivity was the goal.

“We really try to get a variety of industry when we’re planning this event,” said Tabi Britt, Employment Services Supervisor at the Mesa County Workforce Center. “That way, job seekers of any type can feel like they’re represented and have opportunities that are a good fit for them.”

Britt wasn’t exaggerating. Employers ranged from financial institutions and law enforcement agencies to construction giants and nonprofits.

A short walk across the fairgrounds could take you from speaking with a hospital recruiter to chatting with a welding supervisor. It was a smorgasbord of opportunity.

• Industries represented included:

  • Healthcare

  • Finance

  • Human services

  • Trades and construction

  • Education

  • Public safety

  • IT and telecommunications

And many of the employers weren’t just there for show — they were hiring, some even on the spot.

A Job Fair for the Times

In a year marked by economic uncertainty, layoffs in some sectors, and hiring spikes in others, events like this are more than just networking exercises — they’re lifelines.

“In times of instability, having an event like this is a good security for people,” said Britt. “To say, ‘I know jobs are out there. Let me go and speak to employers and see what my next move could be.’”

One attendee, recently laid off from a national retail chain, said the face-to-face conversations helped restore a sense of control: “It’s easy to feel invisible when you’re applying online. This—this feels real.”

Local Talent Meets Local Business

Unlike some career expos that cater to big national chains, the Grand Valley Job Fair had a distinctly local flavor.

Many of the participating businesses were homegrown — and proud of it.

“It provides a lot of exposure for us, doing a lot of work here in the valley,” said Jacob Burns, a Project Engineer with FCI Constructors, one of Western Colorado’s top construction firms. “Just trying to hire any good help that can be an asset to our company is really valuable for us.”

Burns added that his team was particularly looking for project managers, site coordinators, and skilled tradespeople — and that a few strong candidates had already stopped by.

The Ripple Effect of Hiring Local

Events like this don’t just benefit individuals — they strengthen the entire regional economy.

“Something we always want to do at the Workforce Center — and I’m sure CMU would agree — is to support our local businesses and our local workforce,” said Britt. “Whatever we can do to match local employers with talent that’s grown locally helps retain folks in the valley while also contributing to our economy and our business community.”

It’s a virtuous cycle: people trained in the region stay in the region, businesses grow, families put down roots, and the community becomes more resilient.

And for CMU, it’s also a way to show current students and recent graduates that opportunity is right outside their classroom door.

Not Just Entry-Level Anymore

While some may associate job fairs with entry-level roles, that’s no longer the case.

“We have job opportunities from entry level all the way up to those more experienced positions,” said Britt. “So, we’re really looking to match job seekers with employers that are a good fit — and then employers with job seekers that meet their needs.”

This year’s fair included openings in:

• Executive leadership roles in healthcare and education

• Mid-level finance and HR positions

• STEM and tech-related careers

• Entry-level customer service, warehouse, and security jobs

One attendee — a software developer between contracts — said he was surprised by the number of tech-adjacent opportunities. “I came here expecting to network, not interview. I’m leaving with three serious leads.”

Turning a Resume Into a Conversation

At its heart, the fair reminded attendees of one simple truth: the job market isn’t just about keywords and algorithms.

Sometimes, it’s about shaking a hand, making a good impression, and saying, “This is what I bring to the table.”

Employers appreciated that, too.

“This is where we see who shows up prepared, who’s genuinely interested,” said one recruiter from a regional utility company. “You can’t always tell that from a digital application.”