Shannon Boyer’s to-do list for Wednesday, September 9 was short and to the point.
“Get a job,” the Milwaukee resident said.
Boyer, who is close to earning her General Educational Development (GED) credential from Milwaukee Area Technical College, was one of nearly 200 MATC students and community residents who attended an employment and resource fair held Wednesday at MATC’s Education Center at Walker’s Square.
The event, coordinated by Maximus, was designed to connect students with employment opportunities and MATC programs and services that support their success, said Annette Velez, administrative coordinator at Walker’s Square.
Maximus is a national company that helps manage and administer public programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, student loan servicing and employment placement.
Nearly 50 employees participated in the event, held on the fourth floor of Walker’s Square, said Angel Cedeno, employment developer and events coordinator at Maximus. The employers included Goodwill, Northwestern Mutual, Aurora Health Care, PNC Bank, UPS, Milwaukee County, Habitat for Humanity, Hilton Hotels and the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Southeastern Wisconsin.
“We’re always looking to add more,” Cedeno said.
This is the third job fair that Maximus has coordinated at Walker’s Square, said Ricardo Ybarra, senior manager at Maximus.
The last fair, held in February 2026, attracted nearly 200 students and residents, with 75 of them being interviewed at the event and 35 being hired on the spot, Velez said.
“It’s exciting to see these businesses here,” Velez said. “These companies are all looking and MATC has the students who can help them right away.”
Boyer, who grew up in California, said she dropped out of high school years ago while battling drugs and alcohol addiction. She plans to continue going to college after attaining her GED certificate, but in the meantime she is looking for a position in healthcare or the trades.
“I was able to get some interviews lined up,” she said.
Jonathan Williams, a Milwaukee resident, also was hoping to find some interviews. He came to the event definitely dressed for success: He wore a black suit and black shirt and shared copies of his resume with employers.
“Everyone talks about the first impression,” he said. “It’s about putting your best foot forward. I’m just trying to find a place where I can fit and stay a long time.”
About MATC: As Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 45 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
