WCS Transition Students Hold Reverse Job Fair
Published March 30, 2017
The tables were turned on March 29 as WCS occupational diploma students flipped the script on perspective employers and hosted a reverse job fair.
Unlike a typical job fair where businesses and employers host stands that hopeful employees can approach, a reverse job fair puts the candidates at their own stands and allows those looking to hire the chance to meet the candidates of their choice.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to meet employers and see the kind of work companies are looking for,” said Ravenwood High Transition I teacher Stacey Robertson. “A lot of times this isn’t something that our kids would go out and seek, so it’s nice to have the businesses come here.”
In total, 27 WCS seniors made tri-fold displays to act as a visual representation of their resume and skill sets.
In addition, junior occupational diploma students were able to attend the reverse job fair and sit in on a seminar given by local workers who offered tips on how to land a job.
More than 20 local businesses and employers came to talk with the students and several students got leads on possible jobs.
“I think this is a really good idea,” said Independence High senior Tristan Teague. “This is a great way to help you figure out what you want to do to make a living, and it’s a cool opportunity to come out and talk to people about what job you would be good doing.”
For some students, taking away the anxiety of having to approach prospective employers really opened them up to put their best foot forward.
“I actually like it a lot because I’m very shy but this is making me be more open,” said Franklin High senior Elizabeth Casey. “I was a junior last year and they didn’t do this but I wish they had. It teaches the juniors that they need to be more outgoing.”
WCS teachers and students alike were pleased to see so many local companies take an interest in the reverse job fair and hope to host one again next year.
“It’s amazing,” Robertson said. “It’s great to see people who want to employ people that have disabilities. People with disabilities don’t always have a lot of employment opportunities so its great to see that they are coming to us and that really helps to make it less intimidating for our students.”