Industry professionals encouraged Poplar Bluff and Twin Rivers sophomores to begin thinking about their future during the 15th annual Career Fair held Thursday, Oct. 5, at Three Rivers College.
Students learned about opportunities available to them through the Technical Career Center, as well as dual credit options at the community college. Then the high schoolers broke off to hear from representatives in the fields of industrial technology, arts and communications, human services, health occupations, natural resources and the business sector.
Discussing a career in education, R-I Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Patty Robertson shared a story about how she did not have a plan to reach her career goals until midway through her senior year since-as a first-generation graduate-she did not even realize higher education was an option. She eventually was informed about scholarships, Pell grants and student loans.
"The college part is hard, but please know it is worth it, as it can put you in a position for the rest of your life, and there will be opportunities for advancement along the way," Robertson said. "Your life is a long time and you want to be happy doing whatever you choose to do."
During a session about jobs in social services, PBHS counselor Tina Wilkins expressed a similar sentiment. "It doesn't matter about your circumstances, if you have the ability and the drive, you can work through it," Wilkins said.
AmeriCorps member Alyssa Cook, a senior at PBHS, suggested to the younger students to apply to three colleges: one institution that is a safe bet, another that may be a reach and lastly what she referred to as a 'why not?'
The event is organized each year by AmeriCorps as a way for the volunteers of the program to fulfill their service project requirement. Next month the students will get an opportunity to tour the TCC and learn in more detail about the various programs available to them beginning junior year.
Above: R-I social worker Donna Moore (standing) and Alyssa Cook of AmeriCorps field questions about some of the intricacies of human services careers.
Below: Under the leadership of program director Becky Winters (standing, left), a total of 31 AmeriCorps volunteers help organize the yearly Career Fair for area sophomores.
