Wahluke students attend Outdoor Career Fair

MATTAWA — The Outdoor Career Fair sponsored by the Wahluke School District Friday gave students a look at careers they might not have considered otherwise.

“We’re learning different topics. What’s required for different jobs,” said Wahluke High School student Junior Irazoqui.

Irazoqui said the details of a career as an electrician were new to him. The pay is good and electricians are almost certain to get a job after they complete their training.

Some students got information that might change their post-graduation plans. Juan Medel said he learned that a community college he had been considering does not have an engineering program - making him consider other education options.

The crew from RDO Equipment Company didn’t wait around for students to express interest. Joe Collins, service manager at RDO’s Pasco location, was ready for a couple of WHS freshmen who stopped by the booth.

“Do you know what you want to do?” Collins asked them.

After hearing a negative response, Collins asked them if they liked math and science, and if they liked to take things apart. They did, and Collins pointed out that a career in equipment repair and maintenance attracts a lot of people who like math and science and taking things apart.

RDO has an in-house training program, designed to grow the company’s own workforce, Collins said.

“Something to think about the next four years,” Collins said.

There are a lot of opportunities out there in technical fields, he said after the students left the booth.

The career fair also attracted recruiters from the military and various law enforcement agencies. Andrea Cuevas said she sought out the Federal Bureau of Investigation booth.

“I’ve gotten pretty interested in the FBI,” she said.

Her interest was sparked in part by television shows that featured the FBI, she said.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Mireya Antunez was surrounded by an interested crowd of boys and girls throughout the morning.

Stephanie Arrieta said she wasn’t interested in a WSP career before talking to Antunez, but some of what she heard had Arrieta reconsidering law enforcement as an option.

“They get paid pretty well. I feel that’s what got my attention,” Arrieta said.

Wahluke student Edward Barajas was impressed by Arrieta’s job.

“That (trooper) over there - she stops semis,” he said.

Antunez wanted to make sure the students had a realistic picture - when students asked about the training involved, she said it presented her with some challenges. She had no experience with firearms before joining WSP, she said, and that was a challenge for her.

“It’s not that bad. It’s not that easy, either,” she said. “But it’s fun.”

Trooper Bryan Villaneuva, a WSP recruiter, said he wanted WSD students to consider the opportunities available through the agency.

“I’m hoping that the kids open their eyes,” he said.

Barajas, a freshman, said the career fair gave him a look at options he hadn’t considered before.

The firefighters from Grant County Fire District 8 also attended the event to encourage local students toconsider a career in the fire service - and maybe stay close to home.

Fire District 8 both fights fires and has an ambulance service, and firefighter Jose Cruz said he wanted students to learn about the job, requirements for joining the fire service and the drawbacks and benefits.

“A lot more pros than cons to this,” Cruz said.

Cruz said some questions to the firefighters were influenced by what kids saw on TV - and that a lot of what’s on TV and in the movies isn’t very realistic.

Petty Officer Nathan Stout represented the U.S. Navy at the career fair. Before becoming a recruiter, he was a submarine electrician.

Stout was talking to Wahluke Junior High students, and he said most career fairs he attended don’t include middle schoolers. It was and is a good idea to give middle school students career information, giving them a chance to explore their options, he said.

Television and movies don’t really give a very realistic picture of a Navy career either, he said.

“It’s not what everybody thinks it is,” he said. “It’s a lot more of a regular job.”