Career fair helps teens find right path.

Hart firefighter Melissa Monroe helps Shelby High School student Mercedes Salgado put on firefighter turn-out gear.

Career fair helps teens find right path.

#OceanaCollegeAccessNetwork

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

SHELBY — When you’re 16 years old, it’s time to seriously think about what kind of career you want to pursue, and for many teens that can be a daunting task.

The Oceana College Access Network makes that decision process a little easier. One way of reducing the uncertainty is by hosting the Oceana College & Career Fair, which took place Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Shelby High School gym.

Shelby High School student Joey Correa tries out a virtual welding simulator with the assistance of York Lynch of Miller Welding Supply in Grand Rapids.

The event provides high school juniors an opportunity to connect with area businesses and Michigan colleges to learn about career and education with hands-on activities. The students who attend are able to sample a broad spectrum of job markets and ask representatives about all aspects of the skill, trade, or professional career in which they’re interested.

Approximately 200 Oceana County juniors participated, along with many college and career representatives.

Students had the opportunity to try on firefighter turn-out gear with assistance from personnel of the Hart Area and Shelby-Benona fire departments. Taylor Ruggles, a Pentwater junior, would be a fourth-generation firefighter if she chooses that career path, following in the footsteps of her father, grandfather and great grandfather, said Hart/Shelby Fire Chief Jack White.

Students had a chance to talk to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast and Undersheriff Ryan Schiller, as well as local DNR officers, to learn about law enforcement careers.

Miller Welding Supply in Grand Rapids was on hand with a virtual welding simulator to show students how to weld.

“I like how you can walk around and see how people operate,” said Hart student Ryan Coon. Ryan said the career fair was enlightening, because he was exposed to career options that he previously hadn’t considered, such as serving in the US Marines; working in the auto industry; or pursuing a career with Consumers Energy.

“You get a taste of everything,” he said.

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Tags: Oceana College Access Network