Energy filled the gymnasium at Kentlake High Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Íø for their first-ever College and Career Extravaganza Fair last week. Current juniors and seniors were able to visit and speak with different colleges and companies to learn about what opportunities lie ahead of them post-graduation. There were over 50 booths in total, including local companies in our community. One of those companies was Boeing. Their representative, Justin, shared the following:
"We have a lot of hands-on manufacturing positions at the Boeing Company that align with classes here at Kentlake and align with classes at the other Kent high schools. We're here to share information with students aboutj obs that align with the skills they're already developing in high school and how they can get those jobs after they graduate. We also have a high school manufacturing internship program that students can do as long as they are 16 or older. It's a paid summer internship, so we have a lot of full-time and internship opportunities at Boeing that we're going to make sure students are aware of."
"We have a lot of hands-on manufacturing positions at the Boeing Company that align with classes here at Kentlake and align with classes at the other Kent high schools. We're here to share information with students aboutj obs that align with the skills they're already developing in high school and how they can get those jobs after they graduate. We also have a high school manufacturing internship program that students can do as long as they are 16 or older. It's a paid summer internship, so we have a lot of full-time and internship opportunities at Boeing that we're going to make sure students are aware of."
Another well-known company that was present was Alaska Airlines, whose representative, Jessica, was ecstatic to be at the fair. She shared:
"We're always looking to let people in our area know about the opportunities there are in aviation, obviously at Alaska specifically, but we have different pathways available, so whether or not you want to be collegebound or start a career right away, we have various opportunities. We want to let young people know there's a path forward, no matter what route you want to pursue."
but we have different pathways available, so whether or not you want to be collegebound or start a career right away, we have various opportunities. We want to let young people know there's a path forward, no matter what route you want to pursue."
Students also enjoyed being able to speak with colleges and companies that are closer to home. Seniors Andrea, Lindsey, and Sophie shared that they plan to attend Green River College in the Fall. They enjoyed speaking with someone directly and shared, "We knew a lot of the information already, but it was nice to have confirmation after talking with them." They currently have an interest in exploring a career in psychology or nursing. Fellow seniors Daniel, Trevor, and Eduardo were also happy after speaking with the representative from Green River College. When asked what they enjoyed most, Trevor said, "For sure, talking to the different schools and companies."
Fellow senior Tony spent most of his time talking with the representatives from the military. When asked what he was most excited about, he said, "The military, the army, that type of stuff interests me. I saw that, and I thought, 'I'm going there right away.'" He also appreciated that everyone he spoke to was very welcoming and greeted you.
Fellow senior Tony spent most of his time talking with the representatives from the military. When asked what he was most excited about, he said, "The military, the army, that type of stuff interests me. I saw that, and I thought, 'I'm going there right away.'" He also appreciated that everyone he spoke to was very welcoming and greeted you.
Overall, the event was a tremendous success! Teacher Brenda Transier thought having these educational, apprenticeships, and field opportunities in one place for students to explore and learn about was fantastic. She hopes that the event will also include an invitation to sophomores next year. Events like this are essential because, as Transier shared, "We've got trade schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges present. We're showing them (students) all the options. We're showing them they don't all have to go to college; whether they do or do not want to go, they have these options. That's what they need. They need to know their choices." This aligns perfectly with our mission to "successfully prepare all students for their futures."
Thank you to the following colleges, universities and companies for sharing with our students:
- Academy of Interactive Entertainment
- Alaska Airlines
- Anew
- Bellevue College
- Boeing
- Central Washington University
- City of Kent
- Cornish College of the Arts
- Covington Water District
- DigiPen Institute of Technology
- Eastern Washington University
- Ford Motor Company
- Gene Juarez Academy
- Gonzaga University
- Grand Canyon University
- Green River College
- Green River College Nursing
- Green River Kent
- Green River Trades
- Highline College
- Kent Parks and Recreation Department
- King County DHR
- Kent Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Íø District Human Resources
- Machinists Institute
- Marine Corps
- MITAGS
- Mountain View Fire and Rescue
- MultiCare Health System
- Navy
- Northwest Carpenters Institute of Washington
- Oregon Tech
- OSPREY Camp
- Pacific Coast Fruit Company
- Pacific Luteran University
- Pacific University
- Puget Sound Electrical J.A.T.C.
- Pulse Heart Institute/Spokane Community College
- Red Canoe Credit Union
- Renton Tech
- Saint Martin's University
- Seattle University
- The Evergreen State College
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Washington Bothell
- University of Washington Seattle
- University of Washington Tacoma
- US Army
- UTI
- Washington Army National Guard
- Washington Occupational Therapy Association
- Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
- Washington State University
- Western Washington University
- Whitworth University