The second annual College, Career, and Job Fair at Goddard High School (GHS) gave students exposure to the future that awaits them beyond the doors of GHS. In conjunction with parent teacher conferences, participants also had the unique opportunity to hear from local businesses, colleges, and technical schools to inspire discussions about what the future holds.
Local businesses such as Walmart, Child Start, Ace Hardware, Tropical Snow, and Spirit attended the immersive event. Walmart store manager and coach, Daniel Rasmussen, explained that “There are so many opportunities available to students. This gives employers and students a place to start, and a chance to get their foot in the door.” Daniel was hoping to “grab little moments with students'' that may entice them to come join his team at Walmart.
Local Ace Hardware owner and operator, Russ Lowen, explained that their best hires are “relationship based” and events such as this help create circumstances to build those relationships with students. Russ believes that the skills students will build working at local businesses are “110% transferable to what they want to do long term.” These business and industry representatives share an appreciation for the skills Goddard students develop, and they desire the chance to get to know, and hire, a wide range of students.
Local colleges and technical schools also had a presence at the Fair. WSU Tech representative, Tyler Pacholski, expressed the importance of offering a wide variety of future pathways to students. “One hat does not fit all students, and it is important to give them exposure to the options available to them. This event gets students into the workforce and involved in opportunities to benefit their future.” Heartland Welding representatives, Cody Parks and Anya Hartman, shared similar remarks about how these events and experiences “allow students to see all the opportunities and get out there and learn how to expand their futures.”
Students and parents who attended parent teacher conferences were given the chance to explore the College, Career, and Job Fair at GHS. Brittany Harderson and her daughter Emalyn Harderson toured a variety of booths during their time at conferences. Brittany was extremely impressed and grateful for their experience at the Fair explaining that it “showed them new ideas and gave them a feel for what to anticipate during Emalyn’s freshmen year.” As an incoming GHS freshman, Emalyn saw the exploration of her future career or secondary education as an “exciting opportunity to see what’s coming.”
Goddard Public Schools prepare students for lifelong success, and through events like this, provide high school students an introduction to the life that lies outside its doors. A stereotypically overwhelming experience is transformed into a search for the path that fits the student. This allows students the opportunity to try out various career and college options, and become part of the success of the Goddard community.