Students went to mini gym on Jan. 30 periods one through four to explore the possibilities they have after their high school lives.

Career fair attracts students deciding on their futures
Sabrina Ziegler | 1/31/08 | News

Granite Hills’ juniors and seniors were able to miss one class period to explore their futures at the ninth annual career fair. Representatives from about 52 different vendors came to inform the students about joining their programs, which ranged from higher education to vocational career training programs and internships. 

Students attended the career fair for their various interests, whether it be to get more information about a career path they are already considering, or to simply broaden their scope of the options available to them after high school.

This was Sara Hillard’s first time attending the career fair.

“I want to find opportunities for my future. I think there are a lot of good options. I think a lot of high school students don’t know what they want to do after high school so this helps a lot,” she said.

Steven Bounchareaune was another first time attendee.

“I came to get out of class…I also came for the free stuff,” he said. Bounchareaune’s impression of the career fair: “It’s pretty cool. I got to talk to the Navy and that was interesting.”

Vendors enthusiastically greeted students and willingly answered their questions. Church Stanton was proud to tell students about the Fresno Area Electrical Training Center.

“We offer a trade-school opportunity where you can make up to $2,000 in your first year of training with no experience,” he said.

Stanton made note that the apprenticeship program was a rare type of business to offer at a career fair.

“In this type of format we don’t usually do too well. Most people come to find out about college or the military.” However, he was happy to give the program exposure to young people.

Anthony Mechena actively endorsed the National Guard by seeking out students to attract to his booth. The job of recruiting in high schools, he said, is hard.

“Sometimes you get people. Sometimes you don’t,” he said.

Mechena added that the benefit of being able to recruit students at a career fair is that, “they’ll open their ears up about it, rather than if some recruiter calls them up on the phone.”

Cathy Wolfe, who was representing the Porterville Adult School, said their booth has come to Granite Hills career fairs since they first began.

“We’re always supportive and we’re here, education-wise, for short-term education training. We just try to be out in the public eye as much as we can, to try to let the community know that we’re here,” Wofle said.

Anne Garner, the Granite Hills career center technician was the coordinator behind the affair.

“This takes me about a month to plan. I want students to know there is a lot of planning involved in this,” Garner said.

However, she was glad to make the event happen. “I’m excited to give students the opportunity to participate in the career fair. I think it’s an excellent opportunity to look to their career goals,” she said.