By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
What do you want to be when you grow up? It's the question everyone was asked at some point in their life. Barton Community College is trying to provide some answers. Director of Early College Operations Karly Little said the Barton Career Fair returns to the campus on Friday, Feb. 7.
"We've been hosting this event since 2016 and it just keeps growing," she said. "It is such a fun event. We invited 8-12 graders to come to campus. The entire time they're out there, they explore careers."
Students choose a track and explore four careers in that track. They can choose from professions in agriculture, mechanics, carpentry, natural gas, welding, medicine, business, marketing, and many more.
"Every year, we try to bring in more and more careers to get students interested in things they may not even know things are options for them in the future," Little said. "Some of these jobs they don't know exist, they can get a short-term certificate or degree with Barton and go straight into the workforce making a great living wage."
Students will attend four 20-minute sessions in the track. They are guided from track to track by Barton staff and faculty, along with advisory board members from the community.
"The new format of the event where we guide the group from session to session has really opened it up for homeschool audiences," said Little. "We didn't used to be able to incorporate students coming on their own very well but now with this format we can. That's a really exciting change we've made over the last couple of years."
The high school career fair will take place from 8-11 a.m. Eighth graders will follow from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is free and snacks and drinks will be provided but lunch will not so plan accordingly.
In the final session of the day, students will meet with a career life panel made up of current Barton students and student ambassadors who will answer questions about what it's like to attend Barton.
Interested parties can register through their schools or as individuals. The deadline to register is Jan. 24. Read more about the Career Fair here. CLICK HERE to register.