Marin employment fair caters to young job seekers

Several dozen Marin businesses, nonprofits and public agencies will scout out hiring prospects at the annual Marin Youth Job Fair this month.

More than 500 job seekers from about 14 to 24 years old are expected to attend, said Cynthia Joy Scully Koo, one of the event organizers. Registration for employers and prospective employees is online at marinyouthjobs.org.

“This is a great event for local young adults and students to explore paid jobs, internships and job-finding resources,” Koo said. “Dozens of students secured interviews or employment following last year’s event.”

The free event fair is scheduled for 3:30 to 6 p.m. March 18 at the Mill Valley Community Center at 180 Camino Alto.

Since launching in 2023, the Marin Youth Job Fair has proved successful “by bringing together a broad mix of employers alongside valuable job-readiness and workforce resources,” Koo said.

Employers expected at the fair this year include Mathnasium of Mill Valley, the Griot Theater Co., Nugget Market, the Marin County Probation Department and U4U.

U4U offers confidence-building and leadership programs for teen girls, said Ila Marchetta, its founder.

“We had a great experience at last year’s job fair and met so many impressive young people,” Marchetta said. “In fact, one of the interns we met there is still working with us today, and is a great addition to our team.”

Aaron Alcala-Mosley, director of Mathnasium of Mill Valley, said he hired five “awesome instructors” from the fair last year.

“The fair is a great way for our youth to gain hands-on experience understanding the diversity in the job market,” Alcala-Mosley said. “Participating in this fair also allows these students the ability to ask questions of businesses they may otherwise not have considered for a job opportunity.”

LeShawn Holcomb, executive artistic director for the Griot Theater Co., said the fair is “an incredible opportunity for young people to explore career pathways in a supportive and safe environment.”

“Experiences like this allow youth to expand their horizons, build confidence and envision their future while being surrounded by mentors and encouragement,” Holcomb said.

The fair hosts are Mill Valley, Tamalpais High School’s college and career center and the Interact Club of the Rotary Club of Mill Valley. The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and other southern Marin chambers are also supporting the event.