Monroe College Hospitality program students Lilinna Infante (middle) and Gaudys Pena learn about part-time openings at the Hilton Rye Town from the hotel's director of operations Jeremy Morris during Monroe's part-time job fair at the Radisson Hotel New Rochelle.
Photo credit: Justin Stock

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Monroe College hospitality major Lilinna Infante ventured out to make the crucial face-to-face connection with employers in her field of study at the school’s part-time job fair Monday at the Radisson Hotel. 

“It’s a lot better than sitting down and filling out the applications online,” said Infante. “They can see your face.”

Associate Vice President of Monroe’s Bronx and New Rochelle campuses Carol Genese said the event is held to help students achieve success in the work force while they study.

Genese said that the school holds two job fairs during the year in hopes that they will help students earn some money while they study, especially with the cuts in the federal work study funding.

Students must already have a job in order to take part. In addition, evaluation cards are filled out with feedback showing what the students can improve upon. Employers and the college work together to ensure students have success at finding employment while they are students at the school.  

The college holds a job and internship career fair March 21 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 2501 Jerome Ave., Bronx, N.Y. This is its biggest fair with 90-120 employers, versus Monday’s 25. 

Infante was interested in customer service positions with Doubletree Hotels, Hilton Rye Town and Chase Bank.

Fellow Monroe College hospitality major Gaudys Pena was also pleased to have the opportunity to meet with employers in the industry rather than submitting an application into a pile without a name to a face.

“You can’t ask questions online,” Pena said.