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Eagle Ford Job Fair Draws Thousands

By KGNS News

Story Created: Jan 13, 2012 at 5:02 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 16, 2012

The Eagle Ford job fair has wrapped up for the day but thousands turned out for what they said was one of the only opportunities to find a high paying job.
Our Annette Garcia was at the Laredo Energy Arena just as the doors began to open.
She has the story.
Freezing temperatures were not keeping these people away.
Some lined up as early as four Friday morning to be the first in the door.
“I’ve been here since 8:30. I’m looking for a welding job. I have my own rig and everything. Hopefully someone will pick me up.”
Most with resumes in hand, all were seeking a job with Eagle Ford.
“Once I get inside we will figure it out whether it was worth it or not but if people need work they’re going to do what they have to.”
Eva Gonzalez left her house in Raymondville at 5 a.m.
She’s hoping to find a job too.
“I just finished my school. I just want to jump in and get some experience and go up from there.”
While in most of the country, some have desperately searched and not found any jobs, here in south Texas people are feeling lucky.
Even then most seemed to know they would have to fight for a spot in this high paying field.
According to Texas workforce, Laredo’s largest job fairs normally draw in about 800 to one thousand people. This job fair is expected to exceed that. 3,000 are expected to come to this one.
“I’m not the only one that needs a full time job.”
Annette Garcia pro 8 news.
The Eagle Ford job fair was organized in part by the City of Laredo.
Local leaders say job fairs like this one have been held in other areas of the state such as San Antonio.
They say Laredo needs to stay competitive and continue to draw people in.