Over 29 educational agencies participated in the Educator Career Expo at Sacramento State on Wednesday, facilitating a connection between educational agencies and individuals pursuing employment in the field of education.

The expo was a free event for all students and alumni hoping to find a job in the education business.

Among the participants were Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Aspire Public School, Elk Grow Unified School District and many more.

Alumna Nicole Burns, who received her teaching credentials in 2011 and previously worked at Freedom High School in Oakley, Calif. as a math teacher, was laid-off due to budget cuts. At the Expo, she had the opportunity to be interviewed by Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

“I’ve been having high expectations and I am feeling good and confident because they have openings for math teachers,” Burns said. “I feel confident especially since I have been teaching for a year; I can only now find a better place to work.”

Bi-lingual Joe Hall has taught two years in Guadalajara, Mexico and one year in Chiapas. He attended the event to network and share his resume with school districts hoping to get a teaching job.

“I attended the event to do some networking and drop off resumes hoping to get my foot in the door,” Hall said. “I found the love of teaching and working with youth and people with disabilities.”

After graduating in 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in liberal studies from Sac State, Kristin Kandle returned to school to acquire her teaching credentials. She was able to talk to four districts at the expo and even received some helpful tips from them to improve her chances of getting a job.

“They told me to volunteer and substitute as much as a can to get my name out there. Then the other teachers can let me know when their colleges are going on long-term substitute,” Kandle said. “They recommend that long-term substituting is the best way to get your foot in the door because you are there for a long period of time and you get to know the faculty, staff and principle so you can work forward from there.”

Mari Del Angel can be reached at [email protected].