ASHLAND — Both high school and adult education students at Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center had the opportunity to meet over 60 businesses, organizations and staffing agencies at a career fair held at the Career Center on Jan. 30.
Participants’ booths were scattered through the Commons, the library and the halls, and students were supplied ahead of time with a map of the event designed by students in the Engineering and Design Technology program.
“The map really helped me because I could identify the booths I wanted to visit and I didn’t just wander around,” a criminal justice student said.
Each student also was supplied with a “passport” that challenged them to broaden their Career Fair contacts to include booths for three businesses, one military/law enforcement, one higher education and one presentation on interview skills. Opening questions were provided to facilitate conversation.
The representative from Wayne College praised the passport saying, “The passport directed the students to touch base with all categories represented here today and the conversation starters helped students who sometimes just don’t know what to do or ask.”
Businesses “rewarded” student contacts by stamping their passports, making them eligible for a drawing for over 90 door prizes donated by businesses from a multiple county area. Prizes included an Xbox, two Amazon Fire Tablets, a drone, Fitbits, gift cards, t-shirts, and more.
When asked if students just visited to get the stamps to qualify for the prizes, the representative from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department commented, “I think about 50 percent just wanted the stamp, but about 50 percent were very interested. At least two students even took applications.”
Several exhibitors commented positively on the organization of the event and praised the professionalism, engagement, courtesy, and respect shown by the students noting, “Students were well prepared. They asked good questions. (This was) a great exposure for them. “
Prior to the Career Fair’s opening, exhibitors were led by students on a tour of the school and its programs. Representatives from Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg were appreciative of the tour saying, “We really enjoyed the tour and weren’t aware of everything that is offered here. It was good to meet the students, to hear their dreams, and to let them know what types of positions are available.”
A Construction Technology student said, “This is great. I wasn’t expecting this (level of participation). The number of companies that are here just blew my mind and I learned a lot.”
The event was sponsored by Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center and the North Central Workforce Alliance and coordinated by Adrea Tennant, Human Resource Development Coordinator for ACWHCC’s Adult Education.
