Written by Emarie Bailey, Edited by Hunter Cookston, Photos by DJ Humphreys, and Interview by Dakota Caldwell
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) is partnering with Cleveland State Community College and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology in hosting the Tri-College Job Fair and Career Expo at the McMinn Higher Education Center in Athens, Tennessee from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This event is an opportunity for students to connect with employers, explore possible job listings, and offer your resume to different businesses that interest you!
“The reason behind setting up this job fair was to expand our reach for our employers that are local,” says Kim Ealy, Director of Career and Leadership Development, “so that they have the opportunity to meet with talent and diverse skill sets.”
There will be around 30 companies attending the career fair, including:
- Amazon
- American Job Center
- CDPC Sales Team in Knoxville
- Chota Community Health Services
- City of Tuscaloosa – Tuscaloosa Police Department
- Community Health Systems – Tennova Healthcare – Turkey Creek Medical Center
- Covenant Health
- CRH
- Del Conca USA
- Diversicare Healthcare Services, Inc.
- Dynasty Spas
- Emerald Youth Foundation
- Erlanger Health
- Erosion Solutions
- ETSU Healthy Careers
- Family Resource Agency
- GR Group Holdings, Inc.
- HR Sources & Solutions
- IronCraft
- Jack Schroeder & Associates
- JTEKT North America Corporation in Vonore, Tennessee
- Maxim Healthcare Services – Homecare
- McMinn County Schools
- McNabb Center
- Opella
- Open Arms Care Corporation in Chattanooga
- Priority1
- Protomet Corporation
- Randstad in Tennessee
- Steam Logistics
- Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
- Tri-County Center
- U.S. Army National Guard in Tennessee
- United Grocery Outlet
- Vision Hospitality Group
- Volunteer Energy Cooperative
- Wright Brothers Construction Company
To prepare accordingly, “First, [you should] look at the list of companies that are coming and learn a little about the ones that are of interest to [you],” says Ealy, “Depends on how much time you have as well. Find five companies that really are your top priority.”
If there is not a business that interests you, the career fair will provide a learning experience through on-site interviews, resume review, and the opportunity to speak with a wide variety of employees about their processes.
“Bring current copies of your resume, whether they take it or [not],” said Ealy for preparation. “That way you have [visual] talking points with [you] to answer questions.”
For further information, contact Kim Ealy, Tennessee Wesleyan’s Director of Career and Leadership Development. Ealy is over the event and will offer more information pertaining to it.
kealy@tnwesleyan.edu