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Dickinson State University`s annual job fair drew lots of new faces today.

A lagging national economy, along with the word spreading about North Dakota`s oil boom, motivated job seekers from other states to make the trip.

Job seekers looking for work in North Dakota oilfields crammed into Dickinson State University`s annual job fair. Applicants from other states even made the trek, after hearing stories about North Dakota`s oil boom.

Don Anger, a job seeker said, "You fill out some applications, or bring some applications home with you, and things will happen, hopefully."

With lots of oilfield jobs in the region needing to be filled, the event`s sponsors decided to take the job fair in a new direction this time around.

Lorraine Schank with Job Service North Dakota said: "This year we made a concerted effort to contact oilfield companies, mainly because we know there`s a demand for oilfield workers. And so we had about 15 companies new this year to the fair that we never had before."

Some DSU students were surprised about all the opportunities. Junior Nyembezi Thliwayo, who wants to go to medical school after she graduates, was glad she stopped by.

"There`s quite a few places that offer internships, and jobs too after I graduate, so it was kind of exciting!" said Thliwayo.

Others weren`t as lucky.

Patbold Sukhbatar, a DSU Senior said, "I was looking for something with, that related to software programming and stuff, but in Dickinson there`s only like Remco here, and maybe I was hoping for a different city`s companies to come over here, but not my luck today."

Even if that dream job wasn`t found, job seekers didn`t walk away empty handed.

Anger said: "It was nice to see all the different variations. Obviously, a lot of the jobs, I`m like ok, I can`t do that, I don`t do that, I`m not interested. I knew what I wanted when I came in, so I seeked out those fields first, and then made a couple of laps around to see if anything else caught my eye. And, you know, you collect some pens! Always nice!"

Although the projected turnout fell short because of bad weather, organizers say they`re still pleased. Attendance still exceeded last year`s job fair.