Indian Lake upperclassmen are connecting with area employers for future employment, summer jobs and even some side hustles.
Approximately 80 local businesses and organizations set up shop during the Ninth Annual Logan County Career Expo Thursday, March 13, at Indian Lake High School.
Students from several Logan and Auglaize County schools joined their ILHS counterparts to visit booths set up in the ILHS Main Gym and the ILHS Auxiliary Gym representing businesses in health care, construction, law enforcement, retail, agriculture, manufacturing and more. All ILHS Juniors in the College and Career Readiness class attended the event, along with several seniors who were not able to attend last year when the Expo was affected by the tornado.
Educators encouraged students to talk with as many employers as possible.
ILHS senior Layla Shirey is already enrolled for next fall, but she made a point to connect with local realtors.
“I’m going to Ohio Wesleyan for International Business just so I can do business as a main focus. But then I’ve also started an online realtors course, so I can get my real estate license. I will do that on the side to help pay for my schooling. It’s also an interest for me, so that’s why I’m getting my realtors license.”
Fellow ILHS senior Isaac Galbraith came to the expo with a similar plan to get a summer job before he starts with a union apprenticeship.
“I’m looking for really any kind of job for the next few months until I complete my interviews and can begin with the union.”
Logan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ben Vollrath met with students before they entered the expo.
He said there are still many more jobs available in our area than we have people to fill positions, so this is an exciting day for local employers as they also try to connect with future employees.
Plus, Volrath remarked that students this year seem more engaged than ever before by doing their homework on companies and asking serious questions.
“A lot of our employers, for the first time in several years, are nearly staffed. Yes, there’s still an incredible opportunity for job seekers, but our employers are at a spot where they’re not scrambling quite as much. They are being a bit more discretionary, so it’s a good time for our students to be stepping up their game.”
The annual Logan County Career Expo is a product of the Logan County Collaborative. It is coordinated by the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center in partnership with Logan County Chamber of Commerce, Logan County Job and Family Services, local school administrators and committee members from local businesses.