Students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School had a fantastic opportunity to discover the many different career options in Kenora at yesterday’s EXPLORE Career Expo. More than 40 local businesses were on hand to answer questions and speak to students about their career path.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids like me who don’t know what they want to do after high school,” said Grade 11 student Ali Phillips. “It gives everybody time to see and go around and talk to people who have actually experienced everything in the different businesses and departments in those organizations.”
A range of organizations were present from health care to the skilled trades, arts, law enforcement, mental health, Grand Council Treaty #3, City of Kenora and more.
“There’s lots of different businesses and fields that you can go into. If you knew what you were looking for you could ask people specific questions, but if you don’t know then it’s a really good place to figure out what you want to do,” said Grade 11 student Abby Nowe.
Students were invited down by Grade to wander through the Career Expo. Some came with a sense of the field or area they were interested in, while others just enjoyed speaking to all the different people.
“You’re learning lots about different jobs. I went pretty much everywhere, it’s been intriguing. I really enjoyed the booth about construction on the lake, they seemed really interesting,” said Jacob Lund, a Grade 10 student.
Fellow Grade 10 student Matthew Prefontaine agreed it was a great way to find out more about the different options after high school.
“I just wandered around and explored. There is a good variety. Couple jobs to think about in the future,” he said.
This is the third year St. Thomas Aquinas has offered the Career Expo, although this year’s Expo was significantly bigger hosting more than double the businesses.