Many high school students struggle to make the right connections that can shape their future, often unsure where to start or how to turn their interests into opportunities. The recent College & Career Fair at the Hewes Educational Center brought those connections right to the juniors and seniors.
Representatives from about four dozen businesses, organizations, and institutes of higher education were in attendance at the annual event, which was held Oct. 2 in A building. Students from each of the Career & Technical Education programs through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES participated.
“The annual College & Career Fair at the Hewes Center provides students with meaningful opportunities to explore future career pathways, make connections, and gain inspiration for their next steps,” said Alissa Rinaldo, CTE social worker at Hewes. “It’s also a valuable time for teachers and staff to build partnerships with local industry, which helps strengthen our programs and ensure students are prepared for real-world success. We look forward to this event every year.”
Taylor Curtis, a junior from Chautauqua Lake enrolled in the Cosmetology program at Hewes, said she enjoyed being able to learn more about several different career opportunities. After graduation, she hopes to one day open her own salon.
“I like seeing the different options that might be out there, even if it’s something outside of my program,” Curtis said.
Seniors Jeyaciay Robinson Payne and Ashley Natal Guzman, both from Jamestown and enrolled in Cosmetology, took a moment during the event to learn more about UPMC Chautauqua’s School of Radiology. Both walked away with information about the school and a pen shaped like a bone.
“It’s nice knowing what kind of jobs are out there. It gives me a sense of what I might want to do,” Robinson Payne said.
Blake Berlin, a junior from Falconer enrolled in the Construction Technology program, learned about different trade careers and met with representatives of local businesses in need of skilled workers. He plans to continue his education before landing a construction job after graduation.
Businesses and organizations present at the College & Career Fair included: Alstar EMS, Blackstone Advanced Technologies, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, E2CCB, Goodskills Career Builder, Jamestown BPU, Jamestown Fire Department, Jamestown Plastics, JCPenney Salon, JMI, Midland Asphalt, NYS Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation, NYS Dept. of Corrections and Community Supervision, NYS Department of Social Services, NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Forest Rangers, NYS Troopers, Niagara Frontier Auto Dealer Association, Rand Machine Products, The Resource Center, Seneca Gaming Corporation, St. George Enterprises, St. Elmo Spa, Stuart Tool & Die, Turner Construction Co., Universal Technical Institute, UPMC, and Wegmans.
The following colleges and universities also participated: Hilbert College, Rosedale Technical College, SUNY Canton, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY JCC, SUNY Morrisville, Trocaire College, UPMC Radiologic School of Technology, and University of Northwestern Ohio.
