{"id":232175,"date":"2026-04-14T12:40:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T22:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=232175"},"modified":"2026-04-14T12:41:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T22:41:38","slug":"windward-cc-career-expo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/14\/windward-cc-career-expo\/","title":{"rendered":"Career expo at Windward CC<\/abbr> connects students, alumni to good paying jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Community
Community members network with employers at the Ko\u02bbolau Career Expo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Koʻolau<\/span> Career Expo connected more than 200 Windward Community College students, alumni and community members with more than 50 Hawaiʻi<\/span> employers, offering career-track positions starting at $40,000. The gathering on March 31 featured government, healthcare and private industry.<\/p>\n

\"Students
Students meet with public service employers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The event gave me a chance to see the different career options available and think about what might be a good fit for me,” said alumna Cara Souza. “Having many employers in one place makes it easier to explore possibilities and ask questions.”<\/p>\n

Dani Springle, a 2019 alumna, added, “The event was very well organized, and it was encouraging to see so many career options available in one place. Seeing multiple state agencies represented helped me better understand additional opportunities for professional growth.”<\/p>\n

Multigenerational turnout<\/h2>\n
\"Participants
Participants speak with employers during the Koʻolau<\/span> Career Expo. Over 50 employers participated.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The strong multigenerational turnout reflected broad interest in higher paying opportunities, with attendees able to network, participate in on-the-spot interviews, and receive resume support.<\/p>\n

“We know the cost of living continues to be a challenge for many families on the windward side, and events like the Koʻolau<\/span> Career Expo are one way we can help connect people with career opportunities,” said Haʻa<\/span> Pagan, career and transfer counselor and organizer. “Sometimes one conversation at an event like this can open the door to a future someone never thought possible.”<\/p>\n

\"Eschenberg
Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg (right) meets with an employer at the Koʻolau<\/span> Career Expo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg added, “It expands opportunities for the Koʻolau<\/span> within the Koʻolau<\/span>, helping to grow the waiwai (wealth) of our region by connecting people with career pathways that support long-term success.”<\/p>\n

Employers appreciated the direct contact with job seekers.<\/p>\n

“Connecting with local candidates is especially important to us, as many of our positions serve communities on the windward side,” said Stephanie Shiroma, a talent acquisition consultant with Kamehameha Schools. “Events like the Koʻolau<\/span> Career Expo help us meet individuals who are interested in building careers close to home while contributing to the communities they live in.”<\/p>\n

Pete Castalay of Northwestern Mutual Hawaiʻi<\/span> added, “Events like this provide a space for meaningful conversations about professional growth.”<\/p>\n

More information about career resources is available at the Windward CC<\/abbr> Career Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Attendees
Attendees connect with employers at the Koʻolau<\/span> Career Expo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Local jobs starting at $40,000 help mitigate the high cost of living.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":232182,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[969,71,66],"class_list":["post-232175","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-career-development","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-windward-community-college","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t