Career/job fair to prepare students for employment

A career fair for mostly high school juniors and seniors will focus on how to prepare for employment in a competitive environment.

Co-sponsored by Western Nevada College Fallon, Churchill Economic Development Authority and Churchill County High School, the one-day session on Wednesday at WNC is for students enrolled in Career and Technical Education classes.

Kim Klenakis, CEDA’s project counselor, said the career fair will give students a better idea how to prepare for the job market. She said several workshops will focus on “Communications in the 21st-century Workplace” and “10 Characteristics to be a Dynamic Employee.”

She said a panel of professionals who have a CTE backgrounds will also talk to the students.

“The high school has been a huge facilitator for us,” Klenakis said. “This started out as a project for 50 to 60 students, but it has now ballooned to over 120 students.”

Klenakis said the fair is a hands-on workshop rather than an event whereby students move from table to table talking to various employers.

“We want to prepare these students how to go out and get a job,” she added.

CCHS Vice Principal Rob Freeman said students should benefit from the assistance provided by the college and help offered by CEDA.

“WNC is providing the location, lunch, bus transportation and substitutes for the day,” he said. “CEDA is reaching out to local businesses to provide representatives to present interview skills, discuss how to complete a resume and job applications and describe appropriate dress. There will be mock job interviews for students so they can learn how to interview.”

This isn’t the first time CCHS students have received assistance in dealing with their future.

In early January 2014, for example, CCHS students received instruction to develop household and personal budgets outside the protective walls of education and living at home with parents. Financial Horizons Credit Union, with assistance from Greater Nevada Credit Union outside of Fallon, visited various economics or business classes.

Freeman said the high school provides a CTE program and ensures students enrolled in the program pass state requirements.

He said the ultimate goal is to prepare students for life after graduation.

“This is the first time for this (a career fair), and we hope to make it successful and an annual event,” Freeman said.

Freeman said the career fair also becomes a “two-way street” with employers and students.

“One of the byproducts for business is to see what kind of student we’re putting out,” Freeman explained. “And for the students, they see what businesses are out there (in the community).”