On Feb. 21, businesses, nonprofits, political organizations, colleges and government agencies lined up for WCHS’ first-ever career fair, giving students opportunities to engage with 56 potential careers and trades. The fair was organized by Internship Coordinator Justin Ostry, College and Career Navigator Rhonda Applebaum and College Career Coach for Montgomery County Career Advising Program (MoCo CAP) Camila Bueno. Other organizations such as the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), the Workbase Learning Committee and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), combined efforts to create the best experience for students.
“Every student planning for their post-secondary future, or a future career, can talk to employers at the career fair in their industry of choice,” Applebaum said. “The career is also for students who want to go into trades [and not] a two-year or four-year college. Many of the companies at the fair definitely have departments in need of electricians, masonry people, carpenters, etc. The career fair is ideal for every Churchill student.”
Coming into the planning process with experience from “World of Works,” a similar event held by MoCo CAP for eighth-graders at Montgomery College, Bueno combined her ideas with Ostry and Applebaum to create a smaller-scale event that can be more accessible at WCHS. The fair featured interactive displays for students to engage with various employers of interest. Students were free to ask questions and learn about day-to-day activities through the showcase.
“We have a diverse group of employers attending the fair, not just universities, but trades, entrepreneurs who own their own businesses and local nonprofits, which gives students an idea of what employers are out there in Maryland,” Bueno said.
With the Student Advisory Council Ambassadors under MoCo CAP conducting outreach and promoting the event, along with more traditional marketing channels, the fair’s goal is to connect WCHS students with employers from diverse backgrounds. From morning announcements to messages through Gmail, Synergy and Naviance, the organizers’ aim was to make sure that as many students as possible were aware of the career fair.
“We started in the fall, drafting emails and designing the layout of what the fair should look like, when it should happen, the logistics,” Ostry said. “We intend to host the fair again next year, and I believe we could get the marketing out earlier.”
The fair progressed without a hitch, aside from a couple late commitments from interested businesses and delays in communication. The early start to planning has allowed for wiggle-room to adjust for unexpected events such as the extended snow days between the start of the first and second semesters. Additionally, contingency plans in place before the start of winter break have all contributed to a large turnout and a successful fair.
“I don’t look at the snow days or other events as roadblocks because it is the first time we have hosted the fair,” Applebaum said. “I think whatever we have done is a win, and because of our planning, we have completed the foundation for the coming years.”
