Students Hear From Professionals Tuesday

Students at Mid-East Career and Technology Centers got the opportunity to meet with professionals in their fields Tuesday.

Mid-East had its 7th annual Employability Expo during the school day Tuesday. Professionals from 80 different career paths talked to students about what employers look for when hiring.

“This is just a wonderful event because it is a wonderful way for our teachers and our students to network with area businesses and area employers not only about how the skills are that our students are learning here at mid-east but also soft skills.” said the coordinator of business partnerships and placement at Mid-East, Shannon Kenily.

Kenily said those soft skills include interview and resume writing. During the expo, juniors in the criminal justice program heard from five area law enforcement officers. Criminal justice teacher, Phil Snider, said this gives students the opportunity to see what law enforcement officers do on a day-to-day basis.

“It’s a great opportunity for the students to hear from members of the law enforcement community that are working in the field,” Snider said. “They get a chance to ask questions and talk to the members and find out what qualifications and disqualifications are important for a new hire.”

The goal of the event is to get students ready for the work place. Kenily said the expo teaches students that employers look for someone who can do the job well and also be able to talk to the people they’re helping.