Career fair a success at Brooks Secondary School

On a beautiful, sunny day, Brooks Secondary School students mingled with a large number of community representatives outdoors in the Brooks parking lots for the school’s second career fair.

Tanya Larkin, vice-principal and careers program coordinator, said all Brooks students, plus the Partners in Education online students, plus the alternative programs, were also invited to participate in the September 20 event. She said all round, the reaction to the career fair was great.

“There are more programs and opportunities available for students who are going to transition in grades 11 and 12,” said Larkin. “Students aren’t aware of all the opportunities, and the jobs and career pathways for them. A lot of our students, in grades 10 and 11, see what mom and dad are doing, and they see the jobs available when they drive through the community, but I don’t think they realize how many job opportunities there are and what the future growth is going to be.

“These companies that come to the career fair have the opportunity to share this and it is eye-opening for the students. There’s so much more out there for them than what they originally knew.”

Larkin said older qathet region students have career classes, so when they go back after the career fair, the classes provide ongoing conversations about career paths.

“When they are using those learning platforms, they are able to dig into specific things that they are interested in; they can dig deeper,” said Larkin. “Another big piece is we had all our dual-credit programs here; our grade 12 programs, such as carpentry, auto and welding, so students get to see firsthand what their peers are doing and it’s really enticing.”

The career fair was organized so pupils in the various grades had 35 minutes to go and speak with the exhibitors, starting with the grade eights and finishing with the grade 12s.

“Each teacher, the day before, was given instructions and a class set of passports,” said Larkin. “When the students went out, every student had a passport, and there were six blocks. They needed to go and see six different companies and interact with them in some way. If they interacted with them, they got a candy and they got their passports signed.

“Once they had their passport filled, they were able to enter them into a draw for prizes.”

Larkin said it was not an expectation when a company comes to exhibit that they provide prizes, but a number of the companies did provide them, so it was an incentive for students.

“It was really appreciated,” added Larkin.

To initially attract exhibitors to the first career fair, Larkin sent out an email to all the parents in 2022, with an idea that she wanted to have a career fair, and asked if any parents who owned companies would be interested in being participants.

“Some were parents, but some tapped friends and said you should probably do this,” said Larkin. “I actually didn’t go out of my way to solicit. They actually all volunteered, which is even better.

“Our community is amazing, and I think, by word of mouth or people driving by and seeing the career fair, there are more people reaching out who want to be part of this.”

Larkin said feedback from the exhibitors has been very positive.

“They loved it; they got to interact with so many students.” added Larkin. “Students were really well behaved and engaged, which the companies found very positive. I love the inclusivity because we want to see more students interacting with the community and this is a perfect way to do it.”

Larkin said videos were posted online after the event, which has drawn further interest.

“I guess after parents reviewed them, some additional companies that the parents run have reached out to ask if they can be part of the career fair next year,” said Larkin. “Maybe we can fill all three parking lots in the future.”

In an email to participants, Larkin stated: “I can’t thank you enough for your time and energy on September 20. The day was a success. Your expertise and willingness to let students explore and ask questions allowed for curiosities and learning to flourish. I hope you enjoyed your time at Brooks and we look forward to having you again next year.”

Plans are for another career fair in 2024.

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