Coshocton CARES holds college/career fair
Lindsey Moore, center, talks to a college representative at the Coshocton CARES/Kiwanis college/career fair held at the Coshocton County Career Center on Nov. 16. About 60 colleges and tech schools, 10 local businesses and all branches of the military were available for high school students to talk to. (Jen Jones)
After not being able to hold the college/career fair last year due to COVID, Lisa Akers, from Coshocton CARES, was concerned about how many students would attend. She was happy to see the large number of high school students that attended the event on Nov. 16 at the Coshocton County Career Center.
Coshocton CARES (Community, Action, Resources to Educate Students) and Kiwanis partnered to provide area students the opportunity to explore colleges, tech schools and careers. “We have 10 local businesses here and about 60 colleges or tech schools,” Akers said. “We also have every branch of the military here for students to talk to.”
“The fair is to give the students the chance to explore what colleges are out there and get a feel for them. It might help them narrow down where they want to visit, and they can pick up lots of brochures to take home and think about.”
Coshocton CARES has an advisor in each local high school. Amy Borton is at Coshocton, Kathy Bigrigg is at River View and part time Ridgewood and Akers works at the Career Center and part time in Ridgewood. The advisors help students and parents with college and career exploration and paperwork such as FASFA.
Lindsey Moore is a senior at River View and the Career Center. “I’m just wanting to know a little more about what’s out there.” Moore wants to work with animals and hopes to be a veterinarian. She is interested in a vet tech program. “I looked at Kent Tusc, Hocking and Otterbein. There’s a lot of good info here.”
Hanna Hess attended the event with her mom, Tammy. Hanna is still a junior and wanted to see what kinds of colleges were around here, as she plans to stay close to home while she goes to college. She is considering a career as a medical receptionist. “I want to go into the medical field, but I don’t like blood.” She is thinking of looking for a job when she graduates and working while she attends school. “If I work, I’ll get to see what else is out there for jobs.”
Tammy said, “This is a great opportunity for kids to come out and see different opportunities.” She said is not ready to think about Hanna planning for college, but was glad she could see different places at the fair.
“I just want everybody to have equal access to college and career choices. I’m always looking to make it easier. I’m hoping this is the first of many opportunities we can provide to our community,” Akers said.
Category: Education
