ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - State legislators aren't the only ones looking to cut checks.  Local businesses are ready to hire.  That's why a record number of them met with young folks in our area to make career connections.  This all happened at a career fair Tuesday at the Penn State Altoona campus.

There was quite a variety of jobs; everything from openings with police departments to cosmetic consultants.  Even officials from state agencies were recruiting heavily now that the budget is set, but there were still some gloomy reminders of a recession Tuesday.

College students traded in the ripped jeans and sweats for business suits.  They admit they're really stepping it up to get a job after graduation, especially when the job market is still recovering.

“You graduate college, and you're expecting to have a job, and you're just trying everything you can to get yourself in there and make yourself known,” Penn State Altoona alum Chelsea Salome of Altoona said.

There was a promising outlook at the career fair.  A record number of employers signed up.  Students believe that's a sign things are taking a turn for the better.

“It's gotten a lot better, last year you know it was high pressure, you could hardly find any jobs, and we didn't even have the fair here which was really hard,” Penn State Altoona Senior Aaron Danko from Osceola Mills said.

Spring Cove School District was one of the new organizations at the fair this year.  Although many experienced people have applied for teaching jobs in the district, officials are looking for fresh out of college students for district technology positions.

“We see that we have to do a lot less training with these younger students coming out,” Technology Coordinator for the Spring Cove School District Cathy Schimminger said.

There was a not-so-good element to this job search opportunity.  While more than 150 ready to graduate students handed out resumes, so did alumni who have gone through this process once already.

“Certainly alumni have gotten downsized as well and so we've encouraged them to come back to their alma mater and try to regain employment with this avenue,” Penn State Altoona Director of Career Services Rebecca Maguda said.

While this fair was only open to Penn State Altoona students and alumni, you can still contact these businesses that are ready to hire.  You can find their information by clicking here.