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Saturday, March 29, 2008
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Students galore, careers to explore
City Editor Hundreds of students - perhaps future lakes area business, health care, manufacturing or technology professionals - descended Friday on the Brainerd Area Civic Center and Gold Medal Arena in Brainerd for the community's first career exploration day.
The event, sponsored in partnership with Central Lakes College, Brainerd Lakes Chamber Workforce Committee and Bridges Career Academies and Workplace Connection, was offered in conjunction with the annual Brainerd Lakes Chamber Commerce and Industry Marketplace.
The participating students, estimated at 800, represented Brainerd, Crosby-Ironton, Pequot Lakes, Pillager, Pine River-Backus and Staples-Motley school districts.
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Lance Davis, a Brainerd Fire Department engineer, had a captive audience of high school students Friday during the community's first career exploration, offered in conjunction with the annual Brainerd Lakes Chamber Commerce and Industry Marketplace in the Brainerd Area Civic Center and Gold Medal Arena. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
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Pat Swarthout, CLC business management instructor, said the chamber approached the college about participating in this career fair with a twist - where the students can interact with business professionals in a business show format rather than in a classroom. The college jumped at the chance, he said, noting he was overwhelmed by the turnout and success of Friday's event.
Lisa Paxton, Brainerd chamber chief executive officer, was equally as impressed.
"It's fabulous," she said. "The students are asking very good questions - being insightful. They're taking this seriously. They're taking it as a real opportunity to learn about careers. I think this is just a huge success. There is no other opportunity like this in the area."
Chris Gatewood, with Teamworks of Park Rapids, represented the nonprofit organization, which in part provides manufacturing training. He was impressed with the career exploration event, especially the focus on manufacturing careers.
He said the event opened the eyes of students about the many career possibilities in the manufacturing industry. He said the future will prove to be lucrative for welders and CNC (computer numerical control) operators. Exhibitors at Friday's event were able to talk about these careers.
"I'm glad to see a community has put a little emphasis into the future," Gatewood said.
Alex Dirks, Grant Dalquist and Nick Villnow, all Brainerd sophomores, learned about manufacturing opportunities.
Dalquist said he was surprised about the variety of manufacturing jobs. "It's fun to learn stuff about all the different jobs."
To learn more
ISEEK, the Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge, is a Web-based gateway to Minnesota career, employment, education and business development information and services.
Students can use the Web site to explore careers, plan their education or find a job.
For more information, go to www.iSeek.org.
Source: iSeek.org.
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Before Friday's event, Dalquist said he was considering a career as a taxidermist. After visiting with exhibitors Friday, he said he was curious about opportunities in manufacturing or the military.
Savanah Fore, Crosby-Ironton sophomore, said she enjoyed the event. "I liked it. There's a lot of medical stuff that I looked at."
Classmate Heather Robinson, also a C-I sophomore, agreed but said she hoped there would have been more information available.
"I think it's good but I think they need more variety," she said, adding she wished to learn about marine biology and veterinary medicine careers. "You do learn a lot of medical stuff."
Brittany Metsa, C-I sophomore, would have liked to learn more about technical careers or cosmetology but overall she enjoyed the show. "It's very informative."
Gloria Palmer, a Staples-Motley applied communications teacher, said Friday's event was a wonderful learning experience for students.
"It provides all kinds of information and opportunities for kids to learn about all kinds of careers," she said. "I really appreciate everyone's hard work. I know this took a lot of coordination and a lot of planning. It was so nice they were able to open this up to our kids."
KATHI NAGORSKI may be reached at kathi.nagorski@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5859.
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