Studer Community Institute

Job fair raises awareness about careers

November 18, 2014
/ Reggie Dogan
/ community-dashboard

When James Young asked students at Warrington Middle School about their plans after high school, not one of them mentioned a career that required a post-secondary education. Athletics and entertainment ranked at the top of their short list of career goals, said Young, owner of Turnaround Solutions, a Jacksonville-based consulting company involved in a partnership with Warrington Middle School. “These kids are not talking about careers where they have to put forth the effort in the classroom,” Young said. “That’s why we want to expose them to different career opportunities.” On Wednesday, nearly 500 sixth- and seventh-graders will get a chance learn more about career opportunities at Warrington Middle School Career Awareness Fair on the school’s campus. More than 50 representatives from local businesses, agencies and governmental entities will provide information about their jobs and careers, ranging from aviation and cybersecurity to human resources and TV production. Students won’t just show up and listen to a spiel from the reps. They will be required to use an “interview guide” to get information to be used later for a class writing assignment. The idea is to use the career fair to not only learn about interesting jobs but also to gain knowledge of how to prepare for future employment and life-skill development. Michelle Taylor, workforce director for Escambia County School District, said it’s important to emphasize the word “awareness” when discussing this career fair. The goal is provide information to middle-schoolers about the many career options in the Pensacola metro area that available with or without a four-year college degree. “We are trying to create a pathway for students,” Taylor said. “The challenge is convincing parents and children that the work the students do today can result in good, high-paying jobs.” Research shows that career and technical education are keys to keeping students engaged and graduated from high school, Taylor said. In 2015, two new career academies are being introduced to Escambia County schools, offering students additional career paths with good wages. Automation and production manufacturing will offer training in technology and electronics. Aviation maintenance will offer careers for students who want to work on the outside (airframe mechanic) of a plane or inside on the engine (power plant mechanics). Those jobs begin with a starting salary of up to $40,000. In 10 years, workers could make up $100,000, Taylor said. “We have to get the message out that there is honor and good living in these jobs,” Taylor said. The School District’s workforce academies are designed to make students aware of the opportunities, set goals and figure out how to overcome barriers that may come up, Taylor said. “Our mission is to provide awareness and direction,” she said. “These are exciting fields to be in, and these students are fortunate to meet with some awesome people to spend part of their day with at school.”

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Job fair raises awareness about careers

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