More than 120 businesses have reserved space at the fair to shop for employees and interns.

Over the last 21 years, IU South Bend has had a spring job fair for recent graduates and soon-to-be graduates. Last year’s fair drew about 450 jobseekers. With more schools involved, organizers hope for more participation.

The colleges and universities that are joining forces are IU South Bend, Ivy Tech State College, the University of Notre Dame, Bethel College, Saint Mary’s College, Holy Cross College, Goshen College, Valparaiso University, Ancilla College and Purdue University North Central.

The consortium development was one of the results of the Lilly Endowment Inc., which awarded nearly $40 million to 37 Indiana colleges and universities to collaborate in efforts to create internships and jobs for Indiana students. The consortium also works with businesses to build internship programs, educate employers and create a speakers bureau. The ultimate goal is to keep college graduates in the state.

The event is sponsored by U.S. Cellular, WorkOne, the South Bend Tribune and the Northern Indiana Workforce Investment Board, Inc.

The fair is open to students from each of the 10-member schools and the general public. For details, see http://www.iusb.edu/~iusbjf.

For additional information call, IU South Bend Career Services at (574) 520-4425.