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SHELBY — Area high school juniors got a close-up look at career and education options available after graduation during the Oceana College Access Network’s College and Career Fair, Feb. 20, in the Shelby High School gym.
Approximately 400 students from Shelby, Hart, Pentwater, Walkerville and Montague attended this year’s career fair, said Oceana College Access Network Coordinator Alyssa Merten.
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Students toured 80 booths that included 45-50 businesses and 30-35 colleges and training centers.
The college and career fair was OCAN’s ninth annual event, and the organization has also existed for nine years, “pulling partners together in the community to increase the number of people who go to college or attain a credential after high school,” said Merten.
“Our students need this. They need interaction with the community, and they also need to know that community members believe in them.”
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Students tour through the gym and interact with academic, career and military representatives.
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“The idea is to help students understand what different types of careers are out there in the community, because oftentimes students don’t know what types of jobs are out there. It’s a great
opportunity for the community to engage with students and help them think through what their path is after high school.”
Most of the businesses involved are locally-based or have local ties. “Almost all of them are in Oceana County or serve Oceana County,” said Merten.
“By having the colleges, careers and training centers all together, we want to help the students make the connection of what type of training is needed for some of these careers and where you can get that training. So, they’re all in one room, all in one space.
“When we say college, we’re talking about all post-secondary education, so everything from short-term certificate programs all the way to apprenticeships to skilled trades training to two-year degrees, four-year degrees and beyond. So, we have unions here; we have businesses; and we have colleges representing some careers. There is just a whole wide array of folks here.”
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