Kandace Wakeman at Kandace Griffin Photography teaches students about her work as a professional photographer. Photo by Linda Drake

It’s a rare sight to see more than a handful of businesses in one place, but on Oct. 5, local businesses and colleges came together for the first-ever career fair at CCJSHS.

The job fair lasted a total of about five hours, during which students would tour nearly every business' table. The day was packed with 57 total businesses and organizations, 30 of which were local, and there was never a second wasted. From an international airline to a state bank, students were spoiled for choice for what they could see at the career fair.

“The variety was very helpful since I have not really thought about what I want to major in yet so seeing the different jobs helped me get a better idea of what I want,” junior Colin Monihen said.

Students had mixed reactions about the job fair, as though they did enjoy what businesses were there, they were hoping for a larger variety of options.

“I did enjoy the job fair because of the amount of jobs that were there, though I wish there were more medical services since that’s what I want to do,” Monihen said.

“I found the military booths interesting just because it’s something that I wasn’t as educated in as much as other businesses,” junior Paisley Voboril said.

The job fair proved a success not only for the students, who enjoyed the day, but also for the administration, who had managed to pull the entire event together. 

“It's been a conversation since last year. Ms. Grinstead wanted to bring the helicopters for the elementary students to see, and that sparked the idea of a career fair. Location and space was a big challenge, and we were concerned if it would be engaging for students; feeding all students and presenters was also a concern along with transportation and weather,”  Principal Alberto Carrillo said.

With the job fair being such a success this year, there are already plans to host another career fair next year.

“In the future, I’d like it to be not as long, to group students differently, and to ask students what careers they would like to see at the fair. Student and teacher input would also be useful,” Carrillo said.

Students do push-ups for the Air Force event at Career Day. Mitchell Budke did the most push ups at 57. Photo by Linda Drake

Seventh grader Even Howell checks out the inside of a road grater at the Chase County Road & Bridge's career day setup, which was one of 57 attractions. Photo by Linda Drake.

Sophomore Tyler McCorgary is shown the interior of an ambulance by EMS director Scott Harris. Photo by Linda Drake