Career Fair at the Mill introduces students to the future

High school juniors from the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP) and Waseca Junior Senior High School, along with those from the Waseca Alternative Learning Center (ALC), attended a college and career fair organized by the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce at The Mill in Waseca during the business day on Tuesday, Oct. 21. A lineup of 35 different businesses, colleges and organizations helped students to consider their future employment and learning. The opportunities to collect information and ask questions came alongside participating in mock interviews.

 

Representatives from seven colleges were on hand: Winona State University, South Central College of North Mankato, University of Minnesota Rochester, Bethany Lutheran College of Mankato, Riverland Community College of Austin, Southwest Minnesota State University of Marshall and University of Wisconsin River Falls.

 

Organizing team member Shannon Kuball of James Brothers Construction, explained “Overall we wanted to engage and introduce these kids to local businesses, give them a chance to see what’s out there.” She continued, “We also wanted to bring some colleges in, hopefully put the idea of higher education in their minds. Waseca County has a lot of talented kids, if they do go away to college or whatever, we want them to come back, their families want them to come back and use that talent here.” Kuball said she was impressed with the turnout but acknowledges, “Not everyone who wanted to be here today could make it, there were time conflicts with other schools. The good news is we have next year's date set, so that will give those other schools ample time to commit and get their kids over here next year so they can check it out as well.”

 

As students arrived, they were handed a college and career fair bingo card to win prizes for completing tasks like ‘Get a business card’ or ‘Shake hands with a business representative’ or ‘Find a government career.’ There was also plenty of stuff we all get (SWAG) ranging from pens to notebooks to chip clips to candy. something for everyone at every table. There was also a list of questions on the backs of the bingo cards for students to contemplate like, “Are your facilities up to date?” “Are there work-study programs available?” “Can I go to school while I work for you?”

 

Booths at the fair included ALC Companies Inc., Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Greener World Solutions, James Brothers Construction, Winegar Inc., Minnwest Bank and Insurance, Big Brother’s Big Sisters, Cinch, Colony Court, Crystal Valley Cooperative, Farmamerica, Ican, Inc. of Waseca, Waseca County, Matthew R. Petsinger Agency LLC., Lenz Lawn Care and Landscaping, Edina Realty, Banco McDonalds, Dennis Steffel Omtvedt Funeral Home, Mediacom Communications, Waseca Public Library, United Prairie Bank, Palmer Bus Service, H&R Block, Blaze Credit Union, Fernbrook Family Center, Patton Hoversten & Berg, PA., Leo A Hoffmann Center and the City of Waseca.