"Every day could be the day. You could walk out of your house and it could be the day. Wherever I'm at could be the day," said Debra Chambers.
Debra Chambers was ready to seize the day. She was one of the 100 people who arrived at the jobs summit held in West Philadelphia.
The job fair is part of the Urban League of Philadelphia's Empowerment Week.
Organizers explained it helps connect minority job hunters with positions, and attendees are feeling positive despite the economic climate.
"I'm very optimistic," says Bernard Weeks. "I don't have the tendency to buy into statistics. I know attitude is more important than facts."
Employers set up booths to talk to job-seekers. Among those hiring was Walmart and UPS.
"I don't have exactly how many, but as far as drivers are going to go, I am looking for people with clean driving records, people who know how to drive a stick shift," said Anita Levy from UPS.
"The South Philadelphia store will be expanding this year to pick up food business, and we will probably be hiring an additional 100 associates," said Rick Phillips from Walmart.
Presentations provided practical advice in addition to information about opportunities for those on the job hunt.
"There are opportunities but there are also a lot of job seekers. How you stand out, how you make those opportunities count," said Debra Abrams.
Empowerment week is only once a year, but there are other resources and events through the Urban League of Philadelphia that people can take advantage.
http://www.urbanleaguephila.org