Jason Troupe wants a part-time job to help him pay for college.

But he's not ready to take just any job. "I don't want to deal with food," said the 19-year-old Southeast Missouri State University student.

The St. Louisan was among a crowd of students who visited a job fair Thursday in the University Center lobby.

This was the first job fair at the university to focus strictly on part-time work.

Thirty-four businesses seeking part-time workers had booths at the job fair. A number of students filled out job applications on the spot.

Troupe and other students welcomed the opportunity to find employment.

"I think it is a good idea," said Troupe, observing that students often find it difficult to secure part-time jobs off campus.

Lois Rudd, 28, said she and other international students often have difficulty finding part-time jobs. "It's hard," said Rudd, a senior from Kenya who has been studying at Southeast for five years.

The job fair was held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It was sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce University Relations Committee, Southeast Student Government and the university's career services office.

Jerry Westbrook said students often complain they can't find part-time work. At the same time, local businesses have said they have difficulty finding workers.

Westbrook said the job fair was designed to address both concerns.

Students want jobs that don't interfere with their class schedules.

In turn, they have a lot to offer employers, he said. "Our students offer the finest in academic and career-related skills, flexible hours, reliability and professionalism."

Westbrook said the job fair gave students a chance to look at a number of employment opportunities.

Drury Inns was one of the businesses at the job fair.

Tenisa Drake, regional sales manager for the company, said the firm at times has had difficulty obtaining good part-time help.

She said the company has a number of part-time positions ranging from front-desk jobs to housekeeping and restaurant work.

Drury Inns operates five motels in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. The 24-hour operations offer plenty of flexibility for work schedules, Drake said.

First Discount Travel's booth attracted the interest of many students.

Owner Shari Elfrink said the firm has part-time jobs that involve sales work outside of the office. The workers would be paid solely on commission.

Elfrink said students could do the sales work without giving up their current, part-time jobs.

Elfrink was sold on the job fair. "We really like this," she said, noting that it saves time in dealing with job applicants.

An advantage of the travel agency work is that students can qualify for free trips. That's a big incentive for students organizing spring-break trips, she said.

Elfrink said some students already are exploring their spring-break options even though the fall semester has just started.

At least 15 students picked up applications for Fastenal Company, a distributor of construction and industrial supplies.

The firm has offices throughout the nation, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico.

Howard Leggett, general manager of the Cape Girardeau facility, said the growing company is looking to hire a few part-time workers.

Like other employers, he welcomed the job fair as a way to reach potential workers.