Prospective job seekers ready to take the next step in their careers had a tailor-made location to pursue those options.

The Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation presented the 2025 Carbon PA CareerLink Job Fair on Friday at the Carbon Plaza Mall in Lehighton.

Darryl Sorrentino of Lansford said he chose to attend the job fair while he continues to pursue an advanced degree.

“I’m close to graduating with my master’s degree, and will be looking for employment soon,” Sorrentino said. “I’m looking for mental health and social services.”

Among Sorrentino’s stops was the Behavioral Health Associates vendor, where he was greeted by Alyssa Spotts, director of human resources.

“I got to speak with Alyssa to learn about their program,” he said. “There’s a lot of different companies who came.”

Sorrentino added that he was impressed with the wide assortment of vendors on hand at the venue, which he said was a good location to host the event.

While many job hunters were in search of full-time work, Panther Valley High School student Jonathan Helmer said that he was in search of a part-time gig for the summer.

Jonathan was accompanied to the job fair by his father, Jason Helmer, who said that he learned of the event online.

“I’m looking for a job,” said Jonathan, 16. “And to save money.”

Craig Vakiener, human resources manager for Pencor Services Inc., said they were glad to be a part of the event.

Vakiener added it was nice to meet people in person rather than just looking at their resumes.

Kylie Adams-Weiss, senior vice president of the CCEDC, said the event featured 36 vendors and was an opportunity for the CCEDC to meet face to face with dozens of local employers from across the region all in one place.

Adams-Weiss noted that the event was free and open to everyone: students, recent graduates and job seekers, as well as those looking to grow or change careers.

She added she believes the diversity of industries was also a key to the event’s success.

“I think both the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation and Carbon PA Career Link were very happy with the turnout of attendees,” Adams-Weiss said. “We had a good variety of industries represented and a good variety of jobs, whether it was full-time, part-time or seasonal work.”

Those who attended were encouraged to bring their resume, dress to impress and take advantage of free professional headshots, courtesy of Michael Straub Photography.

Participating businesses were as follows:

• Aging with Comfort.

• BCM Security Services.

• Befesa.

• Behavioral Health Associates.

• Carbon Career & Technical Institute.

• Carbon PA CareerLink.

• Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health/Developmental Services.

• Care Net of Carbon County.

• Cellar Beast Winehouse.

• State Department of Corrections.

• Estes Trucking.

• Express Employment Services.

• First Northern Bank & Trust.

• Giant.

• Jim Thorpe River Adventures (Lehighton Outdoor).

• Job Connection Services Inc.

• Kresge Electric.

• Lehighton EMS.

• Matrix Behavior Solutions LLC.

• Mauch Chunk Trust Company.

• Mawson & Mawson Inc.

• Modivcare-Caregivers America.

• Northampton County Department. of Corrections.

• State Department of Health.

• State police.

• Pathstone.

• Pencor Services Inc.

• Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau.

• Pocono Whitewater/Skirmish.

• PPL Electric Utilities.

• Structural Metal Fabricators.

• St. Luke’s Carbon Campus.

• The Human Resources Center Inc.

• The Neffs National Bank.

• Wakefield Cottage LLC.

• Whitewater Adventures.

Event sponsors included Carbon PA CareerLink (Presenting Sponsor); PPL Electric Utilities and Michael Straub Photography (Power Portrait Sponsor); St. Luke’s Carbon (Gold Sponsor); and Mauch Chunk Trust Company (Silver Sponsor).