Waseca career fair

A number of local businesses part in the Career Fair at the hockey arena near the Waseca High School on Tuesday, May 14. The purpose was to educate high school students in grades ten to twelve about local opportunities; each business informed students about what to expect during a typical workday and about the varying career paths they can select among based on their personal traits and interests.

Erin Kleve, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) represented the Mayo Clinic and connected students to an electrocardiogram (EKG) strip to help them see how the equipment works and what it takes to interact with a patient. 

“They’re able to see their heart rate and heart rhythm, then I print off the results,” Kleve said. She also guided students through the steps needed to use a stethoscope and  take blood pressure.

But the real winner among equipment she presented, Kleve said, was the Zoll defibrillator used for when someone came into the emergency room with chest pains or cardiac arrest. Mayo Clinic has only allowed Zoll defibrillators out into high school career fairs a few times, so Kleve seemed particularly animated about demonstrating their features to students. 

“It’s like an advanced version of your AED,” Kleve added. “We can give you shocks based on what we see on [the Zoll Defibrillator] if you’re in a shockable rhythm or not.” If so, she further explained, she can put a patient back into a regular normal sinus rhythm.

Joe Schotzko, an instructor and operations manager from Big Ideas in New Ulm presented different ideas outside of the typical educational box and offered options for students who tend to prefer hands-on tasks.

At the career fair, he had stations open for students to experiment with painting, welding, cargo securement; he also had a virtual reality station with about a dozen tasks. These opportunities were self-guided and included examples like working in a warehouse or changing oil in a car.

“We’re here to inform, inspire, and connect them with skilled trades,” Schotzko stated.

Schotzko pointed out students can build successful careers without acquiring the burden of college debt. While he made it clear he wasn’t against higher education, he said he believes it makes sense if students acquire work experience first.

“They should really follow things that they aspire to do,” Schotzko added. “If they like building, they should look into that.”

Kathy Anderson, a recruiter from Palmer Bus Service, shared that a new program has been introduced for diesel mechanics to learn about the basics in taking care of diesel or propane engines. She brought along parts that students might see in larger vehicles: a camshaft, turbo, air brake, pulleys, pistons, and calipers.

“Specifically, Waseca has a small engines program,” she said. “They don’t have a program for larger vehicles, so this is a way students can come down to our shop.”

Khloe Wadd, who is interning at Crystal Valley Cooperative under Chloe Stitt, said Crystal Valley is a great business for students to work for and explore agriculture opportunities if they’re considering staying close to home. Last year, Stitt mentioned she shadowed three different sales agronomists who had a wide range of work experiences.

“I got to see how a farmer’s day to day can change,” Stitt shared, then added, from her observations, she was able to make her own recommendations to farmers and agronomists.   

Wadd said her tenure with the coop has been about accumulating knowledge through experience.

“Crystal Valley is one of those lucky ones who takes students after they’re only at college for a year,” Wadd said. “Not a whole lot of other places will do that.”

She mentioned her favorite part about being at Crystal Valley is learning about the drones as far as how they fly and what goes into spraying fields. She also has enjoyed reaching out to farmers, seeing how they sell and transport their products.

A recruiter from Media.com showed students how they would hook up cables for a customer’s internet or a digital cable television.

Sergeants Jared Chrz and Andrew Harren from the Waseca Police Department were also present to “be approachable,” and educate students about criminal justice career opportunities. They demonstrated specialized equipment including vision goggles, shields, digital cameras, and an automated external defibrillator.

The vision goggles are an educational tool which alter a person’s vision to simulate what it is like to be under the influence. Ballistic shields protect police officers against bullet strikes and other dangerous impacts. Digital cameras are used to record interactions between police officers and community members. 

In Minnesota, individuals at the start of their careers can acquire experience or can begin as a jailer or dispatcher. Captain Kris Markeson remarked on how the jail dispatch can be a great way for someone to acquire people skills.

Interested individuals, he added, can also ride along with a police officer and see what goes on in their day, interview officers about their positions, or participate in career fairs like the one at the Waseca High School. 

For anyone seeking a formal education in law enforcement, Markeson mentioned the needed two-year degree can be earned in a variety of locations including Riverland Community College in Albert Lea or Rochester, Alexandria Technical College, Minnesota State University in Mankato, Hibbing, Metro State or Bemidji State or St. Cloud State, just to name a few. The license, Markeson warned, has to be renewed every three years. From there, if someone really wants to, they can pursue a four-year degree. 

When asked about what brings fulfillment in a law enforcement career, Markeson responded that every day is different and brings a sense of accomplishment.