Middle School Students Take Part In Career Expo
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Middle School Students Take Part In Career Expo
By David [email protected]
The 11th annual expo was sponsored by the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce and financial sponsor was Teachers Credit Union.
Students at the expo came from Lakeview and Edgewood middle schools, Tippecanoe Valley, Wawasee, Milford, Triton and Whitko middle schools.[[In-content Ad]]"The purpose is to show there are viable careers in Kosciusko County for students," said Joy McCarthy-Sessing, chamber president. "Our attempt is to reverse the brain drain."
A wide variety of companies from the county were represented, she said. They ranged from law enforcement to orthopedic companies, banks to graphic designers and clergy.
Most of the attending students had to talk to at least three professionals. Each student had questions from a sheet to ask, such as what the beginning salary was, how much work was involved and education and training needed.
"It is at this age they start choosing their classes for their future careers," said McCarthy-Sessing. That's why it is important to expose them to potential available careers in Kosciusko County now, she said.
"We've had a number of companies that have been with us throughout the years, and some are new. That's always a good thing," she said. "It's a positive thing for our county that these companies will take a day to do this."
The career expo is organized by the Workforce Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
Trina Hoy, chamber director of communications and events, said the event "gives these seventh- and eighth-graders the opportunity to see careers hands-on."
McCarthy-Sessing said they try to encourage each exhibitor to do something interactive with the students. That can range from giving out free balloons, to the fire department letting the students try on the actual firefighter gear.
Wawasee Area Career Center Director of Career and Technical Education Phil Metcalf said, "They have to plan ahead for their futures." When the middle school students get to high school, for some of the courses, they have to block out two to three hours in their schedules, plus driving time if necessary. The beauty of the career expo for middle school students, he said, is that it lets the students try out careers and see if they like it before they start planning their high school courses.
"There's some great opportunities here for kids," said Metcalf.
Ken Strong has been a flight paramedic with Parkview Samaritan Helicopter for five years. He said the biggest question students want to know is what experience and training is involved in his field.
They also asked him what the best and worst part of his job is. He said he tells them it's seeing the people recover from injuries who otherwise wouldn't without his help.
LMS eighth-grader Justin Utter said he checked out the Emergency Flight Service. What he found interesting, Utter said, was "his answer to why he liked the job and didn't like the job." He also discovered, Utter said, he wouldn't like the job.
"I don't like to see sad things happen and people get injured," Utter said.
Bob Kibbe, human resource specialist with Biomet Orthopedics, said he thought the career expo was a good thing, but, "I'm not quite sure seventh and eighth grade are the people to target ... but I can understand the idea of getting it in the kids' heads."
Charissa Heeter, LMS eighth-grader, said of the career expo, "I think it's fun. I like it. I like all the posters. It's just fun to go to the tables. It's also better than being in class."
Kosciusko Community Hospital registered nurse Dawn Hepler said, "I think it's wonderful to expose kids to the careers they may have in the future, and what's available in the county, and that they can stay here after they complete their education."
On display, KCH had a SIM man that simulate a cardiac patient, a display of how some candies can mimic medicine and a surgery display.
Ivy Tech Community College Assistant Director of Career Services Cathy Mullett said, "I think it's a good idea because I think it's a good place for students to start thinking about their careers."
Even if a student doesn't know what they want to do for a career just yet, she said the career expo can get them started thinking about careers in the future.
"For the most part," Mullett said, "I think the jobs are out there for them to do what they want to do."
The 11th annual expo was sponsored by the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce and financial sponsor was Teachers Credit Union.
Students at the expo came from Lakeview and Edgewood middle schools, Tippecanoe Valley, Wawasee, Milford, Triton and Whitko middle schools.[[In-content Ad]]"The purpose is to show there are viable careers in Kosciusko County for students," said Joy McCarthy-Sessing, chamber president. "Our attempt is to reverse the brain drain."
A wide variety of companies from the county were represented, she said. They ranged from law enforcement to orthopedic companies, banks to graphic designers and clergy.
Most of the attending students had to talk to at least three professionals. Each student had questions from a sheet to ask, such as what the beginning salary was, how much work was involved and education and training needed.
"It is at this age they start choosing their classes for their future careers," said McCarthy-Sessing. That's why it is important to expose them to potential available careers in Kosciusko County now, she said.
"We've had a number of companies that have been with us throughout the years, and some are new. That's always a good thing," she said. "It's a positive thing for our county that these companies will take a day to do this."
The career expo is organized by the Workforce Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
Trina Hoy, chamber director of communications and events, said the event "gives these seventh- and eighth-graders the opportunity to see careers hands-on."
McCarthy-Sessing said they try to encourage each exhibitor to do something interactive with the students. That can range from giving out free balloons, to the fire department letting the students try on the actual firefighter gear.
Wawasee Area Career Center Director of Career and Technical Education Phil Metcalf said, "They have to plan ahead for their futures." When the middle school students get to high school, for some of the courses, they have to block out two to three hours in their schedules, plus driving time if necessary. The beauty of the career expo for middle school students, he said, is that it lets the students try out careers and see if they like it before they start planning their high school courses.
"There's some great opportunities here for kids," said Metcalf.
Ken Strong has been a flight paramedic with Parkview Samaritan Helicopter for five years. He said the biggest question students want to know is what experience and training is involved in his field.
They also asked him what the best and worst part of his job is. He said he tells them it's seeing the people recover from injuries who otherwise wouldn't without his help.
LMS eighth-grader Justin Utter said he checked out the Emergency Flight Service. What he found interesting, Utter said, was "his answer to why he liked the job and didn't like the job." He also discovered, Utter said, he wouldn't like the job.
"I don't like to see sad things happen and people get injured," Utter said.
Bob Kibbe, human resource specialist with Biomet Orthopedics, said he thought the career expo was a good thing, but, "I'm not quite sure seventh and eighth grade are the people to target ... but I can understand the idea of getting it in the kids' heads."
Charissa Heeter, LMS eighth-grader, said of the career expo, "I think it's fun. I like it. I like all the posters. It's just fun to go to the tables. It's also better than being in class."
Kosciusko Community Hospital registered nurse Dawn Hepler said, "I think it's wonderful to expose kids to the careers they may have in the future, and what's available in the county, and that they can stay here after they complete their education."
On display, KCH had a SIM man that simulate a cardiac patient, a display of how some candies can mimic medicine and a surgery display.
Ivy Tech Community College Assistant Director of Career Services Cathy Mullett said, "I think it's a good idea because I think it's a good place for students to start thinking about their careers."
Even if a student doesn't know what they want to do for a career just yet, she said the career expo can get them started thinking about careers in the future.
"For the most part," Mullett said, "I think the jobs are out there for them to do what they want to do."
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