Students and vendors alike praised the annual College and Career Expo held at Franklin County Tech for its wide range of post-high school employment and educational opportunities.
On November 26, the FCTS gym was packed with 55 representatives from a variety of businesses, colleges and universities, public safety, military, trade schools, unions and more. Close to 300 juniors and seniors attended the event.
The Expo was not a traditional job fair where applicants submit their resumes and sit for interviews. Instead, the students were the ones asking probing questions and gathering information about what each of the vendors have to offer them.
As part of the Career & College Awareness class, the students earn a grade for their participation and were asked to practice "soft skills," like dressing professionally, introducing themselves, shaking hands, making eye contact, and asking relevant questions.
Kylie Boudreau, 18, of Vernon, Vermont, asked college representatives about the programs and scholarships they have available.
“A lot of people don’t have the time to go and check out colleges on their own,” the Veterinary and Animal Science student said. “It’s great to be able to talk with the colleges individually.”
Colby Leete, a 17-year-old Carpentry student from Erving, said he wants to go to college after graduation, but liked seeing all of the other options available at the Expo.
“They have anything and everything you want to do when you get out of high school,” he said. “They can help you find what you’re looking for.”
Leete’s friend Jayden Hunter, a 17-year-old Carpentry student from Northfield, said the Expo is especially useful for students who are undecided what to do after high school.
“This is really helpful if you don’t know what career you want to go into,” he said. “You can find out what’s out there. It really sets you up for after you graduate.”
Kyle Cornwell, admissions advisor at SUNY Cobleskill’s College of Agriculture and Technology, poke to the students about the transition from FCTS to his school. He said the transition is practically seamless with both schools being “hands on.”
“The students are asking amazing questions,” he said. “They’re asking about our specific programs and talking about their programs here. I love how so many programs here overlap with SUNY Cobleskill.”
Erin Taylor, employee development director at Snow and Sons Tree and Landscaping, said she was impressed with how the students dressed professionally and asked important questions about working at her company. Taylor said a number FCTS graduates, current co-op program students, and students not in co-op have worked part-time afterschool at Snow’s.
Rachel Bellows, 17, a Veterinary and Animal Science student from Ashfield, was grateful that Franklin County Tech offered such a comprehensive college and career event.
“You can find anything here,” she said.
Tyler Rock, a 2014 FCTS graduate in Collision Repair, was at the Expo representing Eddie’s Wheels for Pets in Shelburne Falls. He was enjoying talking to the students about his business which makes and sells two- and four-wheel carts for dogs with front and rear leg disabilities.
Rock’s advice to students was, “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”