Rota students scout out TanHoldings job fair

TanHoldings executives and employees entertain applicants from Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior and Senior High School during a job fair held last Friday at the Chamorro Bucks’ Auditorium. (Contributed Photo)

ROTA—Students from the Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior and Senior High School joined a job fair conducted by TanHoldings last Friday at the Chamorro Bucks’ Auditorium.

A mix of 10th, 11th, and 12th graders filled out and turned in application forms to the Human Resource personnel of TanHoldings-affiliate companies, such as Let’s Go Tour, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Kanoa Resort, Pacific Oriental, Inc., Saipan Tribune, and Century Tours.

“Working for Let’s Go sounds cool. I get to drive a Polaris Razr, tour the island, and meet people [tourists]. It’s nice to work and have fun doing it instead of just sitting and doing nothing when school is on break,” said junior Jamil Barcinas after handing in his application form to Let’s Go Tour’s Ed Arriola.

Barcinas and his classmates, during the job fair, watched video clips of Let’s Go Tour, while other students who expressed interest in applying for a job in TanHoldings’ affiliates were briefed on each company’s operation.

“At first, I had second thoughts of coming to the job fair. But after hearing the opportunities that await us, I found the offers interesting and may give it a shot. I am kind of thinking now where to go after I finish school, so this job fair gives me an option,” said senior Angelie Marie Guiang, who filled out an application form from Kanoa Resort.

Guiang’s classmate—Keone Hocog—is moving to Guam after her senior year and she is happy to find out that Fiesta Resort also operates there so she is considering applying with the company once she’s settled in.

Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior and Senior High School councilor Elvira Mesngon helped TanHoldings facilitate the job fair and was thankful for the opportunities given to Rota students.

“We really appreciate TanHoldings’ kindness and efforts as they come here and have this job fair. It allows our kids and other members of the community to find hope beyond our waters. It helps our students see what other options they have because we know Rota has limited resources,” Mesngon said.

“If they decide to work at TanHoldings, it will be a great experience for them as they get ready for college. They may even be able to save money to pay for their own education or if they decide to stay and work hard, they will earn their way up in the company,” she added.

TanHoldings president Jerry Tan, who led the team that conducted the job fair and had an outreach program on Rota from last Thursday to Saturday, said the company wants to help stimulate the island’s economy.

“TanHoldings is a local company operating in Micronesia for the past 45 years and 35 years in the CNMI. While Saipan has recovered economically, Rota’s economy is still depressed. Thus, we have decided to reach out to the Rota community and invite all high school students, veterans and everyone to consider job opportunities at TanHoldings on Saipan until such time when new jobs are created on Rota. There are many talented people on Rota, including our students, that could contribute to CNMI economy and be part of our workforce,” he said.

Tan, along with TanHoldings vice president for finance Eli Arago, vice president for business development Ivan Quichocho, vice president for corporate business development Alex Sablan, vice president for corporate affairs Catherine Attao-Toves, and TSL Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino also led the turnover ceremony of donated shirts from the Tan Siu Lin Foundation for all the school’s students and teachers.