Indian Lake upperclassmen are connecting with area employers for future employment, summer jobs and even some side hustles.
Approximately eighty local businesses and organizations set up shop during the 9th Annual Logan County Career Expo held recently at Indian Lake High School. Students from several Logan and Auglaize County schools visited 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.
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."
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 says 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.
Indian Lake upperclassmen and high school students from around the region will have the opportunity to connect with local businesses during the 9th Annual Logan County Career Expo at ILHS.
MRESC Youth Liaison Karen Sorreles and Mary Rutan Health Human Resources representative Taylor Allison explained to students today how the event will work. Hundreds of businesses will be set up in the main gym and auxiliary gym. Students will be able to talk with representatives about what jobs they have available, what type of skills are required and other qualifications.
Allison says, "Find your dream job. You want to want to go to work everyday, not have to go to work. Find something you're passionate about because retirement is quite a ways away for you guys."
Allison says most human resources representatives remember names and faces, so it's important to make a good impression by being courteous and confident when interacting with possible future employers.
Sorreles shared that there are more than 5,600 jobs available within a 30-mile radius of the Indian Lake area, so anyone who wants to find a job can do so. Sorreles also explained the new Career Launch Grant for students entering the workforce. They may apply for money to purchase uniforms, shoes or other needed items to get started with their career.
The Logan County Career Expo is set for 8 am to 3 pm on Thursday, March 13th at Indian Lake High School. Organizers were forced to postpone and move last year's event to Bellefontaine High School because of the tornado.
High school is not only a stepping stone to employment, enlistment, or enrollment, but a time when teens have the opportunity to explore what interests them. The “3 E” initiative strives to create opportunities for students to have a solid grasp when they graduate if they intend to be Employed, Enlisted or Enrolled. Finding the “E” that fits their goals and passion is an important step. A successful future is fueled by Career exploration in high school. Area high school students have been invited to participate in the 9th Annual Logan County Career Expo on Thursday, March 13th hosted by Indian Lake High School. This educational opportunity will be attended by many juniors and seniors from Bellefontaine City, Benjamin Logan Local, Indian Lake Local, Kenton City, Ridgemont Local, Riverside Local, & Upper Scioto Valley Schools. Representatives from dozens of local businesses, industries, & the military will be showcasing what opportunities they have to offer.
Each school will attend the Expo during a prearranged time block. During the Expo, students will have the opportunity to interact and interview with representatives with many different career opportunities available now and in the future. Onsite students interested in the military will be provided the opportunity to speak with recruiters. This Expo is an outcome 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. For more information, please contact Karen Sorreles at the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center, 599-5195 ext. 5506 or Lydia Hess at the Logan County Chamber of Commerce 937-599-5121.
Indian Lake High School senior Aubrey Johnson is making inroads for her future.
She applied for jobs, interviewed with potential employers and even signed up to receive emails when Honda of America Manufacturing has any openings during the Third Annual Logan County Career Expo held at Indian Lake High School Friday.
“I’m thinking about going into production right away, like Honda through Adecco, so I can make good money, rise up and go on and get my degree,” Johnson said.
Johnson was just one of nearly a thousand local students who took part in the Expo, sponsored by the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center and the Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce. Juniors and seniors from Bellefontaine, Benjamin Logan, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Riverside and West Liberty-Salem High Schools, along with Indian Lake, got the chance to meet with representatives from 55 local companies that are looking to hire.
The Expo kicked off with a panel of experts on unmanned vehicles detailing jobs of the future in the US 33 corridor. Then students were able to talk with workforce representatives in the main gym and auxiliary gym, plus interview for positions in another conference room.
MRESC Youth Development Liaison Karen Sorreles says in the event’s third year, organizers made a few changes to help students and businesses more easily connect.
“We categorized them this year where one was STEM, one had business and entrepreneurship, and the other was health and human services. We encouraged the students, even if they know the career they want to go into, to visit all the areas.”
Students were even able to try out equipment like the Bellefontaine Police Department’s impaired driving goggles and a table top injection molding machine at the World Class Plastics display.
Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Daily Operations Erin Henry says more than 700 jobs are available in Logan County right now.
“They range anywhere from food service, to retail, to industry, to even college degreed positions. An event like this helps fill all those voids. It may not be immediate employment, but it builds relationships and connections and introduces students to everything we have here in Logan County.”
Meantime, Johnson is eager to enter the world of work for one of these employers.
“I could start in April. I hope I have options to choose from.”
Photo 1: Dave Weisniewski from World Class Plastics helps ILHS Senior Sam Roach work with the tabletop injection molding machine.
Photo 2: ILHS Seniors Darrian Dorsey and Aubrey Johnson sign up for employment
emails from Honda with help from Michelle Stout from the Honda East Liberty plant.
Photo 3: The Third Annual Logan County Career Expo in the main gym at ILHS.
Photo 4: ILHS Senior Aubrey Johnson interviews with a local business at the Logan County Career Expo.
Indian Lake High School senior Aubrey Johnson is making inroads for her future.
She applied for jobs, interviewed with potential employers and even signed up to receive emails when Honda of America Manufacturing has any openings during the Third Annual Logan County Career Expo held at Indian Lake High School Friday.
“I’m thinking about going into production right away, like Honda through Adecco, so I can make good money, rise up and go on and get my degree,” Johnson said.
Johnson was just one of nearly a thousand local students who took part in the Expo, sponsored by the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center and the Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce. Juniors and seniors from Bellefontaine, Benjamin Logan, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Riverside and West Liberty-Salem High Schools, along with Indian Lake, got the chance to meet with representatives from 55 local companies that are looking to hire.
The Expo kicked off with a panel of experts on unmanned vehicles detailing jobs of the future in the US 33 corridor. Then students were able to talk with workforce representatives in the main gym and auxiliary gym, plus interview for positions in another conference room.
MRESC Youth Development Liaison Karen Sorreles says in the event’s third year, organizers made a few changes to help students and businesses more easily connect.
“We categorized them this year where one was STEM, one had business and entrepreneurship, and the other was health and human services. We encouraged the students, even if they know the career they want to go into, to visit all the areas.”
Students were even able to try out equipment like the Bellefontaine Police Department’s impaired driving goggles and a table top injection molding machine at the World Class Plastics display.
Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Daily Operations Erin Henry says more than 700 jobs are available in Logan County right now.
“They range anywhere from food service, to retail, to industry, to even college degreed positions. An event like this helps fill all those voids. It may not be immediate employment, but it builds relationships and connections and introduces students to everything we have here in Logan County.”
Meantime, Johnson is eager to enter the world of work for one of these employers.
“I could start in April. I hope I have options to choose from.”
Photo 1: Dave Weisniewski from World Class Plastics helps ILHS Senior Sam Roach work with the tabletop injection molding machine.
Photo 2: ILHS Seniors Darrian Dorsey and Aubrey Johnson sign up for employment
emails from Honda with help from Michelle Stout from the Honda East Liberty plant.
Photo 3: The Third Annual Logan County Career Expo in the main gym at ILHS.
Photo 4: ILHS Senior Aubrey Johnson interviews with a local business at the Logan County Career Expo.