Thomasville, GA -- February 16, 2012 --

Antinal Thomas has been out of work for 8 months. She almost didn't come to the job fair at Southwest Georgia Technical College, but she decided to give it a shot. Amazingly, she was smiling even after being out of work for so long.

"Life is still good. I know typically something is going to come up."

Thomas is far from alone. Georgia's unemployment rate is 9.7 percent,, well over the national average of 8.5 percent. Job fairs like this one are designed to help.

Employers recognized the value of being there as well.

"Anytime you can get in front of an employer, at this time, is important. You have people who are hiring for their companies, and people like us who are hiring for their company," said Gail Lawhorne, a staffing coordinator at Ambassador.

The U.S. Army, Archbold Hospital, and the Thomas County Health Department are all hiring.

They're all opportunities for people like Thomas.

"I'm glad I came and I believe I can find something in my field so I'm glad I came," said an optimistic Thomas.

She says now it's time to go home and fill out all the applications online with the hope of finding a new position soon.