Monica Braafhart, with Kellogg’s in Grand Rapids, was busy all day handing out samples of pop tarts, Special K bars and other products Kellogg’s makes in Grand Rapids. “We understand that college isn’t for everyone and we want to celebrate and acknowledge that. I talked to a lot of students about summer jobs and hopefully provided them with some options they may not have thought about before,” she said.
That was the whole idea behind the TKHS career fair this week. The morning put students in touch with potential jobs and careers, and employers in touch with potential employees.
Students collected give-aways from more than 40 booths set up by local and regional companies and organizations. But the sunglasses, koozies, t-shirts and candy weren’t the most important things students gained. Some lined up possible summer jobs, internships or job shadow opportunities. Others gained knowledge about companies close to home and nearly everyone took away a great appreciation of all the options they have in their future.
Ali Purdum said she still plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College next fall to begin her pursuit of a career as a dental assistant. But, she admitted, she was intrigued by some of the information she learned from companies at the fair.
Anna Niemi agreed it was interesting to see so many companies. “It was helpful to show us all the stuff we can do. It was really good to find out that a lot of the companies will pay for or help pay for college too.”
Nathan Burkhead, Gary Brown and Ethan Evans gained more information about military service. Burkhead said he plans to go into the National Guard but also attend college at the same time. Brown said he’s already signed up for the Air Force and Evans said he’s also interested in the Air Force. “It was a good chance to talk to them a lot more and I got a lot of good information,” said Evans.
Many of the company booths also offered students a chance to try a sample of what they actually would do on the job. Nicholas Barton pulled the shield down on a welder’s helmet and practiced his welding technique on a computer program brought by Kellogg Community College with an instructor's careful eye guiding and encouraging him along the way.
Adrian Bickford and Ronald Simmons were surrounded by a group of friends as they tried to meet the push-up challenge for the Air National Guard. Not far away Elaina O’Riley was having her blood pressure checked by Thornapple Twp. EMTs and getting a better understanding of their jobs
“It’s nice to see all the different kinds of jobs - some of them I never would have thought about. There’s so much, it’s almost a little overwhelming,” said O’Riley.
Lucy VanDeMark held tight to a screw gun trying to put her first screw straight into a piece of lumber at the booth set up by West Michigan Construction Institute. “It’s a lot harder than it looks,” said VanDeMark. “I don’t think construction is in my future.”
Students and representatives all said they were grateful for the opportunity the career fair provided.
Emily LaJoye, a 2014 TK graduate, said she was especially happy to come back to her former high school and talk with students. LaJoye works for her family business Choice Concrete after getting her business degree from Ferris State University.
“I think this is really good to do,” she said of the career fair. “Especially with my generation, the trades weren’t really pushed as career options. I’m just trying to help provide information. I love coming back to this school and community. I look at it like this - they gave me something and now I get to give back.”
Another TK alumni, Hanna Alverson, shared information about the company she works for, Lown Custom Homes and Cade Dammen represented Owen Ames Kimball Construction offering general management and general contracting services. The company is currently working in the TK district building the new Learning Center and other bond projects.
Shawn Gordon with Proline Concrete is also a TK graduate. “I think it’s great that the school does this. We need young kids interested in construction. I wish more schools would do this. This gives us a chance to talk to them about careers in the construction industry.”
Sarah Alden,a representative with a company called Hastings, said she likes being able to talk with students about their futures. “We can talk with them about their interests and tell them a little about the products we make and how they are used. We can demonstrate that there are good paying jobs close to home. It’s really important for us to connect with the community and the schools.”
She said she kept busy all morning talking with students. “Some of them were interested in the company and others not so much. And that’s OK. Ultimately, whether they are interested in our company or not, I just want every kid to find their landing spot.”
Companies attending Wednesday’s career fair included:
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Architect, Engineering and Construction Sector
- Owen, Ames and Kimball
- VanLaan Concrete
- Van Dyken Mechanical
- Choice Concrete
- Burgess Concrete
- Proline Concrete
- Lown Custom Homes
- West Michigan Construction Institute
- Bouma Construction
- Michigan Council of Regional Carpenters and Millwrights
Healthcare Sector
- Thornapple Manor
- Spectrum Health Pennock
- Woodlawn Meadows
- Pinnacle Counseling and Psychotherapy Services
Finance Sector
- MKP CPA’s
- High Point Community Bank
- Edward Jones
- Thornapple Valley Credit Union
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Sector
- Everett’s Landscape
- Sneller Snow Management
- GreenMark Equipment
Public Safety Sector
- Barry County Central Dispatch
- Thornapple Twp. Fire and EMS
- Barry County Sheriff's Department
Community Colleges/Trade Schools
- Kellogg Community College
- Kellogg Community College - RMTC
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Universal Technical Institute
Technology Sector
- Grand Valley Automation
Energy
- Tri County Power
Branches of the Armed Services
- Marines
- Air Force
- Navy
- Army National Guard
- Air National Guard
Insurance Sector
- Hastings Mutual Insurance Company