WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- With so many people out of work, career fairs are more important than ever. However, limits on gatherings have made it impossible to hold them.

Career fairs usually leave no room for social distancing due to the large crowds they draw, which are banned under a North Carolina executive order.

Because of this, Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools decided to take their annual career fair online.

The chief human resources officer for WSFCS, Jevelyn Bonner-Reed says they had been planning to do an in-person career fair since January but had to switch gears once the COVID-19 outbreak happened.

"We didn't hesitate to say we still need to have this," Bonner-Reed said.

Hiring managers from all over the district and job seekers met using chat rooms to exchange information on job openings. Candidates browsed through virtual booths for each of the district's 81 departments.

"During this crazy time and before this time became crazy there were shortages for teachers, there were shortages for bus drivers, and we are still trying to sort all of this out," Bonner-Reed said.

Over 1500 people registered for the virtual career fair, and 75 percent of the people attended. Bonner-Reed says this gives people from all over the opportunity to seek job openings within the district without having to leave their homes.

"I really like a lot of aspects of it, and I also like that people from across the country can look at Winston-Salem for a new place to be and a new place to work and not have to travel to be a part of it," Bonner-Reed said.

The district plans on having another career fair during the summer. It is not known whether it will be in-person or virtual at this time.