Area high school students explore career options at WC Career Expo

 

Thirty-three professionals from a variety of careers helped more than 670 local high school students explore their career options at the annual Weatherford College Tech Prep Career Expo January 7, 2011.

 

Business representatives provided insights into such professions as accounting; architecture; child life; medicine; engineering; pharmacy; forensic science; speech therapy; finance; nursing; nuclear energy; law enforcement; media; physical therapy and game design among others.

           “This year, we added Nuclear Energy (Luminant), Air Traffic Control (the FAA), and Emergency

Greg Martin, WC EMS department, demonstrates a “SimMan” computerized manikin-like patient simulator.

Medical Technicians and Paramedics to our offerings for students,” said Dr. David Russell, Tech Prep director. “The Mineral Wells Air Evac Lifeteam and the Weatherford Fire Department were also on site. The students really enjoyed exploring the Air Evac helicopter and the mobile command response unit and fire engines.”  

Students attended three 25-minute sessions in which the professionals presented an insider’s view about their daily routines, as well as job prospects, potential earnings, educational and skill requirements.

 

“The event presented a wide variety of career fields represented by actual practitioners of those jobs to provide first-hand information and help students make informed decisions,” said Rob Lowe, Metroplex district manager for the FAA’s Air Traffic Control.

 

Student feedback, provided through comment cards, indicated that the students appreciated the presence of speakers who were active in their professions. A Weatherford student wrote that she liked hearing from “speakers that actually worked in the field!” A Brock student echoed this sentiment in her comment, “I liked that actual people in a particular career came to explain what it really takes to succeed in that career.”

Sierra Larsen, an engineer from Lockheed-Martin, demonstrates a portable flight simulator.

Participants represented Air Evac; the City of Aledo; Congresswoman Kay Granger’s office; Cook Children’s Medical Center; George; Morgan and Sneed Accounting; the FAA; First Financial Bank; Grainger Industrial Supply; Home Town Pharmacy; Jackson Walker Law Firm; Lockheed-Martin; Luminant; North Central Texas Workforce; Texas Army National Guard; Texas Oncology; Weatherford Fire Department; Willow Park Physical Therapy; law enforcement and WC’s forensic science, game design and EMT programs.

Several students commented that the Expo influenced their decisions regarding possible careers. A Huckabay student wrote that “it helped me make a few decision regarding what I want to do.” An Alvord student agreed, writing that the Expo “helped me get closer to a decision on what I want to do for a career.” A Peaster student acknowledged that “it got me thinking about my future.”

While some students discovered new careers to consider, the sessions also allowed others to eliminate some career options. A Granbury student commented that “the accounting session was interesting, but it was not my cup of tea.” A Lingleville student observed that he really enjoyed the logistics session, but the career “is just not something I’m interested in.”

“What they hear during these sessions may ignite an interest already kindled or spark a new interest or even point them in a totally different direction,” said Nancy Russell, a nurse from Cook Children’s.

Not surprisingly, several students wrote that the best part of the expo was that they “got to skip school for three hours.” A Brock student, however, wrote that “I enjoyed the opportunity to learn about different careers. I loved every session I attended.”

Cole Denbow, a presenter from First Financial Bank, summarized the importance of the event for students:  “I certainly believe the event is extremely important for today’s high school students. This event allows the student to learn about prospective careers and what skills are needed to be successful in these careers.”

A Huston Academy student agreed. “I liked everything. It was a really good Expo and had a lot of good information.”