Sandhills_Sentinel

In a first-ever countywide event, more than 700 Moore County middle and high school students explored careers and educational opportunities at the Moore County Schools Career Fair on Thursday, February 7 at Pinecrest High School. 

Hosted by Moore County Schools Career and Technical Education, Pinecrest High and Pinecrest High PTSA, the event was held in conjunction with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month®, a national public awareness campaign of the Association of Career & Technical Education® held each February to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country.

Students from North Moore, Union Pines and Pinecrest high schools and select eighth grade students from Crain’s Creek, New Century, Southern and West Pine middle schools had access to professionals from 90 employers, organizations and colleges to learn about careers, internships, volunteer opportunities and specific jobs. 

Sandhills_Sentinel

Students talk with representatives from McDonald’s.  Courtesy photos.

“The Career Fair gave students an excellent opportunity to learn about a wide array of career options, practice their introductions and sharpen their interviewing skills,” said Pinecrest High School Career Development Coordinator Karen Raliski, who also facilitated the event. “We are pleased that so many students from the high schools and middle schools were able to take advantage of this opportunity.” 

Representatives from more than sixteen career pathways and industries demonstrated and discussed work environments, skills, educational requirements and salary expectations with students. High school students brought their personal resumes and were asked to “dress for success” to help them become both college and career ready.

Educational programs from Sandhills Community College included Career Development, Scholarships, Landscape Gardening, Health Sciences, Computer and Engineering Technologies, Baking and Culinary Arts and Criminal Justice Technology. Representatives from Montgomery and Randolph Community Colleges, Living Arts College, Johnson & Wales University, UNC-Pembroke Nursing, NC State University Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Lincoln College of Technology and Paul Mitchell the Fayetteville School also attended. The United States Armed Forces were represented by recruiters from the Army, Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Navy.

“We appreciate so many members of our business and professional community and surrounding counties for spending half of their day talking with our students,” said Raliski.

Attendees included attorneys, a certified public accountant, entrepreneurs, chefs, carpenters, engineers, pilots, automotive services, bankers, financial advisors, interior designers, marketers, a golf course professional, nurses, physical therapists, communications specialists, a pastor, a pharmacist, food and beverage employers, law enforcement, public safety and town/village management, hospitality and tourism personnel to name a few.

When asked what they liked most about the Career Fair, students oftentimes replied that they valued how open the professionals were to sharing about their careers and the ability to consider careers they had not yet explored.

Feature photo: Students learn about pharmacy from Quality Care pharmacist and owner Tamela Joyce. 

 

Contributed.

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