Wahluke students eye opportunities on Outdoor Career Day

MATTAWA — There are many different ways to find and train for a career, and there are lots of careers out there. That includes jobs young people might never have considered. Showing young people what’s possible is part of the motivation behind Outdoor Career Day at Wahluke High School.

“The objective of this event is for students to have time to talk with industry experts face to face and to see some equipment, hear (the experts’) stories and advice, touch tools and learn about income, education and training, workplace practices (and other information),” wrote Betty Palmer, CTE Director for the Wahluke School District.

The WHS lawn was filled with fire equipment, tractors, law enforcement vehicles, tools, information booths – not to mention the three helicopters on the soccer field – all designed to give WHS and Wahluke Junior High students some knowledge about the jobs out there. Colleges from throughout the region had information booths.

Wahluke student Christopher Barajas said he wanted to see what some of his career options were.

“I want to see the jobs and stuff,” he said. “See what’s cool.”

Barajas said he does have a career in mind - he’s considering being a welder or a mechanic.

For seniors like Leslany Hernandez, the decisions are a little more immediate. She’s been attending career fairs throughout high school, she said, and they are helpful in showing students some of their options.

“They also tell us how to get their job positions and how to start. They do make it easier,” she said.

“From what I’ve seen the military looks interesting,” said WHS student America Parama, after talking to people at various booths.

Grant County Fire District 8 Chief Matt Hyndman said careers come in many shapes and sizes, and some don’t require a college degree.

“I want kids to know there are options,” he said.

Luis Sanchez of the Grant County Public Utility District said that while training is required for many PUD jobs, college is not the only option.

“There’s more than one way to get to us,” Sanchez said.

Prospective PUD employees have options like trade schools, apprenticeships and internships to get the skills they need, he said.

Palmer wrote that she wanted students to focus on things that caught their interest.

“They can wander to several stations, or spend more time in one sector. This experience is meant to add to their goals,” she wrote.

There is evidence that showing young people some of their options does have an influence on their career decisions, she wrote, especially when they are in junior high, and even younger.

“If a fifth grader knows they want to be a scientist, they can make sense and make the most of their science and math classes,” Palmer wrote. “This is the same for a kid who doesn’t know what they want as a profession, but does know what their strengths are and what job possibilities align with their temperament.”

She expressed gratitude to the business owners, companies and colleges that participated.

“Every person who comes to Mattawa has expended significant time, energy and financial resources in the belief that they can contribute to students’ career goals. Every person coming has decided what to bring, how to make logistics work and to make travel arrangements. All of the value of this event is due to the people who (came) here on behalf of students, education, careers and opportunities. This is a very optimistic venture.”

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.