In 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employment in the health care field is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, adding about 2.3 million new jobs.

Highlighting the advancement of global health care and research and an enriching workplace environment, MPI Research will be hosting a career fair Monday, April 24, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Groves Center in Kalamazoo.

MPI Research is a preclinical and toxicology-certified research organization that does scientific studies for sponsors. The Mattawan-based organization’s goal is to bring safer and healthier products into the world.

MPI Research has conducted contracted scientific research for sponsors in a variety of areas. Research and analysis have included studies in drug safety, bioanalytical studies, surgery, imagery, analytical studies and medical device evaluations.

Laura Van Popering, the associate director of human resources at MPI Research, said having the career fair would allow recent college graduates, post-doctoral students and current college students to find work in a professional health care environment.

“We have over 100 positions open right now, and we are continuing to grow,” she said.

Van Popering said hiring managers would be at the career fair, along with research technicians, and videos will be shown of the day-to-day work schedule of an MPI Research employee.

All of the positions, she said, will be laid out at the career fair. She said the hiring managers will be there to talk to potential applicants about particular jobs and their requirements.

“I have positions that I can feel that are non-degree,” Van Popering said. “I have positions that if somebody is coming out of biology or a chemistry or a life science, any of those areas, but I’ll even take psychology (if) a person is interested in research and science.

“This is a great opportunity because we have a fabulous, hands-on training program. It is a minimum three-month training process that goes with it as we work directly with our new hires.”

Sarah Gorkowski, a student at Grand Valley State University studying cell and molecular biology, said having a career fair aimed at health care professionals would be beneficial for recent college graduates.

“The goal of getting a degree is to a get a job,” she said. “If you are graduating and don’t yet have a job lined up, my professionally dressed self would be hopping on over to see if one those people might be willing to give me a job.”

Brittany Collins, a student at GVSU and a cardiac monitor technician at Spectrum Health, said the career fair could also help students find areas of interest in health care.

“I’m going pre-med but still trying to figure out if I want to go cardiology or a cardiac surgeon,” Collins said. “I feel that the career fair could help me look at my options and which is the best for me.”

Ultimately, Van Popering said, with health care continuing to grow and change throughout the world, being part of the scientific process allows further research and studies into creating a cohesive working environment for expanded learning.

“Anyone interested in a career in science, it’s not mathematical necessarily, but if somebody has the biology, the chemistry, even business, there are many different areas that we are looking for,” she said. “We don’t have expectations that somebody is going to have animal research or experience coming out of college.

“Otherwise, recent grads that want full-time employment and fabulous benefits, this is a fabulous company.”

For more information about MPI Research and its programs, visit www.mpiresearch.com/about-mpi-research/.