By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
The best decisions are made after collecting all available data.
With their eyes toward the future and post-graduate opportunities, students at Union City High School got busy with that task recently with the annual College and Career Fair Day.
Nearly 50 vendors – including colleges, area businesses, and the military – were on hand to answer questions and showcase their respective opportunities to students in Grades 9-12 at UCHS.
Representatives from several Southeastern Conference schools, as well as local higher education institutions like UT Martin, Union University, and Dyersburg State, were in attendance. So, too, were personnel from TCAT, a number of local businesses, and members of the UC Fire and Police Departments.
And though most “concrete” decisions are yet to be made, many students got their “eyes opened” to options they may not have considered before attending the exhibit.
“Many of our students have told us that – because of this day – they begin to think about other options or things that they didn’t know existed before meeting with these vendors,” said UCHS Career Counselor Lisa Carson. “I do believe it promotes networking, and it allows our students to put a face with a name when considering some of these choices.
“Because they have access to information in settings like this, they can better use the two days they’re allotted to visit college campuses.”
Twenty-five colleges and/or universities committed to setting up an information table, and nearly 20 local/area businesses did the same. Students received giveaways and informational packets, with some getting hands-on brand opportunities.
Both vendors and students have expressed to Carson and UCHS Guidance Counselor Susan Searcy the value of such experiences.
“Many of our vendors tell us that Union City High School is one of their favorite places to come to,” she said. “Our students are engaged, and they ask good questions. And because of the academic rigor and discipline they have to have here, they know that when a Union City student walks onto campus, they’re ready.”
Carson claimed that bringing in freshmen and sophomores to go along with the junior and senior classes has given younger students a jump-start into the decision-making process of choosing a career path.
“Even though they (the students) are at different points in the decision-making process, it’s never too early to introduce them to the opportunities they have in front of them,” she concluded.
“We’ve tried to incorporate freshmen to expose them to both the college aspect and what’s out there career-wise. Bringing them in at an early age is so important.”