Finding a path: Area students take part in Career Expo

Although the halls of Lakeshore Technical College were bare of college students last week, the classrooms were alive with the sound of high school students as sophomores forge paths toward careers after graduation.

 

Approximately 1,000 sophomores from area highs schools participated in a two-day Career Expo at Lakeshore Technical College. The two-day career exploration program was separated into three sections aimed at helping students find a career path suited to their interests.

 

"Today is a day that opens their horizons to look at many different facets of possible career choices," Karen Szyman, executive director of The Chamber of Manitowoc County, said. "Hopefully it will get them on the path of thinking and choosing classes that are associated with those careers."

 

The first section, a traditional career expo, allowed students to interact with 22 different business leaders in the community to discuss employment opportunities. Business leaders discussed skills needed for specific jobs and highlighted lesser-known careers students might be interested in.

 

"I think they look at a nursing home and think, 'I'd have to be a nurse,'" said Tracy Miller, human resources director at Shady Lane Nursing Care Center. "I have to convince them there are many other areas. There are more things happening behind the scenes than just caring for the residents."

Variety of ambitions

 

Some students, such as sophomore Vanessa Bautista of Two Rivers, focused on a career, such as health care, while others, such as Autumn Conjurski, were not so sure.

 

"I would like to help people. I just have an interest in that," Bautista said. "I'd always wanted to be a doctor to help people who were injured."

 

Conjurski, also of Two Rivers, said she was considering a career in graphic design, but was looking at other options, too.

 

"I plan to help other people with my disability, autism, or be an animator or video game designer," she said. "My brother plays a lot of video games and always asks me to make something. I always say, 'sure, whenever I get the right skills to do it.'"