Jennifer Hogan / Special to The Citizen

AUBURN - Studies are difficult enough for a college student without having the extra worry of an employer that is not willing to work the job into their already hectic schedules.

In an attempt to aid in this difficult task, Cayuga Community College held a student job fair Wednesday in the student union hall of the college.

Several county businesses, as well as the Cayuga Community College offered, plenty of job resources that worked around their studies for students to take advantage of.

"The focus of the job fair is for students," said Meg Osborne, career education coordinator at Cayuga Community College. "Yet, the community is welcome as well."

Osborne said the businesses that attend the annual student job fair realize that the students need flexibility within their work schedule.

"Studies come first," she said.

Dickman Farms' administration operator Caroline Blackman said they need the most help this time of year and students are the prime candidates as their schedules are flexible.

"We are entering our peak season," she said. "At this time of year, we employ up to 100 people as we are a retail garden center as well as wholesale throughout the country. We are eager to work with the students' schedules because we know how important their studies are."

Amy Gavras of the E. John Gavras Center said they also offer relief positions that are perfect for the often hectic schedule of a college student.

Students had the choice of several job opportunities at the fair, including Express Mart, Kelley Temporary Services, and even several options of flexible schedules as a security officer with Securitos Security Services USA Inc.

"We are an independent security firm with several options for the students to choose from," said John Brown, human resource specialist for the company. "I often suggest a floating schedule for students."

Jeremy Liseno, whose family owns many Subway and Mr. Smoothie restaurants in the central New York region, was on hand to offer opportunities within the two businesses.

But not all of the opportunities offered were for part-time flexible employment. The state Department of Corrections had investigators on site to offer those with an interest the opportunity of a career.

"The (state Department of Corrections) is having a statewide recruiting opportunity," said Rick Surrano, a corrections officer investigator.

"A large group of officers are upon their retirement and that opens the way for many to enjoy a nice career. I myself have been a corrections officer for 18 years and have raised my family. It is a nice career, or even a great start for the students who are studying in the criminal justice degrees."

Surrano, along with senior investigator Earline Corbitt, said that although a person cannot take appointment - which means to start their career at a specified prison - until the age of 21, they can begin their civil service exams at age 18.

"Things run through pretty quickly," Surrano said. "It isn't the way that it used to be. And with a starting salary of a little more than $28,000, it is a good career for the right person."