Waconia High School students were given the chance to answer that ever-present question: “What should I do when I grow up?” The high school worked in partnership with the Waconia Chamber of Commerce to book about 45 leaders from various area businesses and organizations for the Career Exploration Fair this spring.
Different than a job fair, this was more about giving students the opportunity to network with potential employers and learn about different industries in the community.
Numerous students commented on the variety of industries that connected with their future career interests. For example, one participating student stated that he’s going to college for finance and visited every finance-related booth available. Another expressed interest in the trades and appreciated the variety that was offered in that industry. Others were interested in the field of health care.
WHS junior Allie Saunders commented, “I am very grateful that the high school offered the Career Exploration Fair. The business representatives were easy to talk to, and I gained an abundance of valuable information. I will be completing my nursing assistant certification (CNA) this spring, so it was beneficial for me to interact with representatives from Auburn Homes, Good Samaritan Society, and Ridgeview Medical Center.”
According to Superintendent Pat Devine, “Events like these truly match up with our mission of helping students explore passions and create success. We want to continue to help guide and provide resources for students as they discover a career path that interests them.”
“This was our first round, and we value the feedback we received from students and businesses,” Mark Fredericksen, WHS principal, said. “We feel that the fall will be the most opportune time to host this going forward. It helps to set the stage for future class offerings based on interests and also allows time for students to register for internships and independent study options for course credit.”
The next Career Exploration Fair is set for early November.