As technology continues to reshape how people find and secure jobs, the Urban League of Portland is bringing together employers, job seekers and students for its 41st Annual Career Connections Job Fair, focused on expanding access and opportunity in a changing workforce.
The event, set for April 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza, is expected to draw more than 500 job seekers and feature over 40 employers from industries including technology, healthcare, education, government, transportation, finance and nonprofit sectors.
Organizers say the job fair is designed to help Portland-area residents navigate a hiring landscape increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and automation, while also creating direct, face-to-face connections that are often missing in today’s digital job search.
Job counselors and career coaches will offer guidance on how to prepare resumes for AI screening tools and navigate automated hiring systems. The event will also include free professional headshots and opportunities for attendees to meet employers directly, with some recruiters expected to conduct interviews and extend job offers on site.
For many attendees, organizers say, the ability to connect in person can make a critical difference.
This year’s job fair also places a new emphasis on youth engagement. For the first time, an estimated 200 high school students are expected to attend, reflecting a broader effort to connect young people with early career opportunities and prepare them for a rapidly evolving workforce.
Urban League of Portland President and CEO Nkenge Harmon said that focus is essential to ensuring the next generation is not left behind.
“It is critical young adults have opportunities to learn how to position their skills, experiences, and educational training in a way that attracts career opportunities,” Harmon said. “Our young people are bright, well rounded, and offer great insight to employers and mid-career participants as well, particularly in how they use today’s latest technology and AI.”
Harmon said bringing together students, mid-career professionals and employers is intended to create an intergenerational exchange, where community members can learn from one another and adapt together to changes in the workforce.
The event will also include a luncheon hosted by Harmon, bringing together community leaders, employers and job seekers to support networking and deeper conversations about workforce development and opportunity.
The job fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 at the Crowne Plaza, where attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with employers and access on-site resources.
