Cape Girardeau Central High School Career & Trades Fair provides networking opportunities

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Career fairs like the one at Cape Central High School Thursday morning can be intimidating for high school students: How do you best use your time? How do you approach all the tables? Where do you even start? 

Jake West with Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 provided his advice. 

“Ask questions. Figure out what the job is like, what you’re going to be doing day-to-day and see if it’s something you’re interested in because not every job is going to pique your interest,” he said.

Student Grant Skelton said confidence can go a long way in getting the most out of a career fair. 

“You’ve just got to be relatable and be able to talk to people,” he said. “Everyone has things they want to do in life. You’ve just got to find the right fit.” 

Kate Broeckling, director of marketing and business development at The Chateau Girardeau, said it also falls on the businesses to help the students feel comfortable talking to them. 

“I think most students are a little intimidated, but I think having a group setting like this where we have multiple different companies to represent, it gives them a little bit more confidence to approach us, and it’s also about the businesses themselves,” she said. “How willing and open are they to accept the students to come to their tables?” 

So then, the students can discover a career path and possibly get paid for pursuing their passion. 

“It gives them the opportunity to get their feet wet, to learn about the industry, learn about different businesses, to see what they want to major in one day, as well, and to be able to give them the opportunity to make a little bit of money,” Broeckling said.