High School Career Exploration Day 2012

Businesses needed for Career Day, March 30

The Roane County Chamber of Commerce and Roane County Schools has set March 30, 2012, for the Roane County High School Career Exploration Day. More than 550 juniors from the five Roane County high schools (Harriman, Midway, Oliver Springs, Roane County and Rockwood High Schools) will come to the Roane State Community College gym from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to participate in the event.

"The businesses that participate in the High School Career Day are interested in helping students understand what it takes to be successful in a career field," said Allen Lutz, the Alliance's Education and Workforce Development Specialist. "The goal is for the students to begin thinking about their career path and learn about the knowledge, skills, and education requirements needed to be successful in a wide range of careers."

If your business would like to participate in this year's Career Day, contact Allen Lutz at 865-376-2093 or email alutz@roanealliance.org . Available space is limited so call now. We are looking for career fields that have not been well represented at our past career fairs

While at the career fair, the students will learn that they need to continue their education beyond high school to get a good-paying job. Either a two- or four-year college degree, or vocational training that earns a marketable skill or certification, is needed in today's labor market. The students met with more than 150 business representatives from approximately 50 businesses to learn about careers that interest them and careers that they may have never considered before.

Last year's career fair was a great success, as described in the below comments written by students. This year's career fair is expected to have a wider variety of careers represented.

Learn more about the organizations that participated in last year's career fair, where they are located, a link to their web sites, some of the career opportunities with them, and associated career clusters by clicking here. (Opens a PDF document in a new window. If you cannot open the PDF document, download Abobe Reader by clicking here.)

The career fair is possible because of the combined support of The Roane Alliance, Roane County Chamber of Commerce Educati IVI-logo on Committee, Roane County Schools, Roane State Community College, the Tennessee Technology Center at Harriman, and the many businesses that participate. A special thanks goes to Innovation Valley for its support of the career fair and the Education Matters! Initiative.

Some of the many student comments about the 2011 Career Day:

Our teachers told us to dress in business attire. I asked myself, ‘Why?' and then realized it was because the people at the fair were looking at us as future employees.
Being able to talk to experienced workers gave me a helpful insight to jobs today... I even met several people that have the connections to help me get to where I want to be.
I learned a lot about jobs that I had never even heard of. This opened my eyes to a wide variety of career possibilities.
Some of the venders had pets or interactive models setup to engage the students. This was my favorite thing about the career fair because I was learning but also having fun.
When I spoke to the Roane County News editor, I learned what sort of classes to take in college. I was even able to setup a possible ‘follow around' with her during the summer.
I learned that being a police officer is nothing like the glamorous job it's cracked up to be on the television.
I felt that there could have been a bit more variety for people with more specific aspirations, or those who have no idea what they want to be.
I liked how there were many different booths set up with people ready to answer our questions and give us free goods.
When I went to each booth, all of the workers told me in depth what they do and how much the average salaries for their jobs are. Also, some of the booths even had games and free stuff to give out.
I think the career fair was overall very helpful and a good learning experience. Now when I am attempting to find a job, I will have many helpful hints for my interviews and dealing with people.
At the job fair next year, I think it would be helpful for students if booths that were actually hiring were there.
I liked the fact that it opens up a view of how many local businesses there are around here.
I believe that they could improve on getting more time for students to see the job fair completely and not feel rushed.
Next year, I would widen the variety of career options. My chosen profession is to be an owner of a high class hair salon.
With only an hour and a half to view the whole job fair, it just couldn't be done. Because of all of the information they gave out, it was reallt impossible to view everything.
I enjoyed the TVA booth because it had information on engineering.
I wish there had been more artistically based careers featured at the fair. Such jobs as graphic design to fashion design should be added next year.
Jobs I would of liked to see: astronaut, fireman, milkman, air traffic controller, CIA spy, butcher, and cheese maker.
I enjoyed the TVA booth because it had information on engineering.
I want to go into a law/political field, nothing there related to my interests.
I was able to learn the benefits of choosing a job in wildlife resource management, and I became much more enthralled with the ides of having a future career in that field someday.
I thought it was a great experience. It allowed you to view many different job fields in which you might possibly want to go into. I also liked that you had people there talking about what all you do in that specific field and how to get into it.