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DURHAM – People across the state are hoping to work in North Carolina's growing biotechnology industry.

Durham Tech teamed up with the Durham Economic Resource Center to host a biotech and pharmaceutical job fair Wednesday to help some prospective employees do just that.

Eric Spruill was one of the 300 people who showed up to the fair, resume in hand.

"Just working in the biopharmaceutical field, I feel like I would be giving back and being a good citizen as far as helping others," Spruill said.

Attendees were looking to network and get closer to landing a job.

"I'm hoping to make some good contacts, just leave a few resumes, talk to some people and hope that something positive will come out of it," Jerome Stevens said.

Biotechnology is a field that's on the rise. According to the N.C. Biotechnology Center, the industry grew 18 percent between 2001 and 2006 – the fastest of the top ten biotech states. Now, there are about 530 bioscience companies around the state employing about 57,000 people.

But despite the field's growth, finding a position can be tough, even for experienced workers.

"Really cruel as far as companies having actual positions open," Stevens said. "They're all interviewing, but there are no open positions at this time."

"I've been doing some independent job searches and I've received some feedback, but nothing that has led to potential employment," Spruill said.

Company recruiters also have their work cut out for them.

"It's been nonstop since we started and I'm seeing some really interesting and credible backgrounds," recruiter Al Sullivan said.

For now, job seekers like Spruill will just have to hope for the best.

"I'm hopeful and I'm going to keep searching," Spruill said.