Job fair held at Columbia Basin Secondary School

MOSES LAKE - Macayla Tudor, 18, knew she wanted to become an emergency room nurse.

But she wasn't quite sure about all the details involved with reaching her goal.

Talking with Chandra Rodriguez, of Samaritan Healthcare, helped.

Tudor learned about job shadowing opportunities available at Samaritan, where she can spend four hours with a nurse and learn more about a nursing career.

"I think it's really cool," Tudor said. 

She was among about 150 students attending the Job Fair at Columbia Basin Secondary School. 

Rodriguez said Samaritan works extensively with the student population.

Some students, like Tudor, are interested in the job shadow program. 

Other students completing their nursing and radiology degrees need a place to finish their clinical requirements.

"It's a very good investment in our time for the youth," Rodriguez said. "We hope they return to the area to work as well."

Jose Esparza, coordinator of student recruitment and outreach at Big Bend Community College, said the big questions from students involved tuition costs.

"There's a lot of concern about 'how will I pay for school?'" he said. 

Esparza told students the importance of applying for federal financial aid. 

"Students think they can't qualify for scholarships," he commented. "A lot of scholarships are need-based."

Some students receiving free or reduced lunch would qualify to have part or all of their schooling paid for, he said.

Big Bend has an open-door admission policy, meaning anyone who applies is accepted, he explained.

He considered the Job Fair as a time for students to make connections between their goals and what they can attain at Big Bend. 

Jenny Woodall, a school counselor at Columbia Basin Secondary School, said it was the first time the event was held.

Woodall and Terri Pixlee, a secondary school teacher and senior class advisor, were brainstorming to get students thinking about careers before graduation.

"It's just so they know their different options," Woodall said. "The people here are wonderful. It's just been great, really great. It's great for students to see all the different groups."

Students were excited about having the opportunity to talk and ask questions, she said.

Participants included Columbia Basin Job Corps, Washington National Guard, Central Washington University, Washington State University, Devry, ITT Tech, Moses Lake Fire Department and WorkSource.