Excitement buzzed through the field house at Homestead High School Tuesday April 15, as students filtered between booths, shaking hands with professionals and asking questions about their futures. The Career Fair brought over 20 local businesses, colleges and organizations, giving students from grade 11 and 12 a hands-on opportunity to explore potential career paths, internships and higher education options.
“Career events offer high school students a unique opportunity to explore and engage with their future career possibilities while also gaining important skills and knowledge for their journey ahead by interacting with a variety of professionals,” Matthew Wolf, one of the event coordinators, said. “Whatever you find out will be informative. IF you find out you don’t like something that’s useful, if you find out you do like something that’s useful, either way you’ve gained valuable information.
Representatives from organizations such as Sommers automotive and Ozaukee Economic Development set up booths with brochures, and promotional items, and hands-on demonstrations.
MATC also sent admissions counselors to speak with students about higher education options, financial aid, and career programs.
Senior Mara Brown said attending the Career Fair helped her narrow down her post-graduation plans.
“There were some organizations that I was interested in but wasn’t too sure about,” Brown said. “But after talking to someone from Mequon City Hall, I have a clear understanding of what I am interested in.”
Many professionals emphasized the importance of soft skills such as communication, teamwork and adaptability.
“The presenters enjoyed the experience,” Wolf said. “They were impressed with the maturity of our student body and are interested in coming back in the future.”
The event was also the first step into networking for many students. Some have handed out their own resumes or scheduled follow up meetings and job shadowing opportunities.
The freshmen and sophomores students had testing in the morning as juniors and seniors had the chance to visit the fair.
When asked what students could do to better prepare for the career fair and make the most out of the opportunity Wolf said, “Take completion of your Xello lessons and completions of interest surveys seriously to ensure you are being assigned to the correct speakers. Do your best to interact with the speakers and other presenters at the events and learn from them. Everyone has something unique they can share with you about their journey.”
Junior Nolan McGourthy said, “I enjoyed the career fair because it gave me an opportunity to talk to professionals about future career paths I am interested in and careers I wasn’t sure about.”
The Career Fair isn’t intended for students to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives, however. Many professionals said they changed their career many times and that it’s something that changes as you get older.
The organizations were selected in a variety of ways, Wolf said. “Many were volunteers from community organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary or Ozaukee Economic Development. Some were parents and family friends of Highlanders who found out about the event through Mequon Thiensville Communications. Many speakers were alumni that wanted to give back.”
