High school hosts career fair – Bradford County Telegraph

Anastasiya Boyer, Nichole Horne, Cynthia Coulter and Destiny Garmon, from Lake Butler Hopsital, were on hand at the UCHS Career Fair 2024 to speak to young people about caareers in healthcare.

BY TRACY LEE TATE

Special to the Times

Union County High School students had the opportunity to learn about further education and jobs at the 2024 UCHS Career Day event on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The event was held in the UCHS auditorium, with 31 vendors (representatives from area employers and sources of further education/training) arrayed with tables and displays around the floor. Students attended by class (sophomores, juniors, etc.) and walked around talking with the vendors and perusing displays concerning the jobs the vendors might have to offer and what was involved in training for them. Each student carried a card the vendors stamped, showing that the students participated in the event as intended.

Preston Griffin and Ethan Hourigan learn about careers in truck driving from Don McDavid from Pritchett Trucking.

Military personnel populated several tables, with the Air National Guard, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy represented. Law enforcement opportunities included criminal investigation, the Department of Corrections, the Florida Wildlife Commission, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Opportunities for further education or training included Florida Crown, the Gainesville Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Florida Gateway College, J Tech Institute, North Florida Technical College, Pay it Forward Scholarship program, Tulsa Welding School, the University of Florida, the University of Northwestern Ohio and Valdosta State.

Trinity Roberts and Joshua Ollar talk about careers with the Department of Corrections with RMC Officer Riley Rhoden.

Businesses represented included Clay Electric, CW Realty, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Gas Transmission, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Johnson Controls, Lake Butler Hospital, Pritchett Trucking, Ring Power, the Union County Supervisor of Elections office, Vystar Credit Union and West Fraser Sawmill.

Joey O’Steen, from Florida Gas Transmission, talks with Alexis Morris and Isabella Kalback about careers in the energy industry.

Students moved from table to table singly and in small groups, talking with representatives about their displays and collecting flyers and other materials concerning the opportunities presented. Also popular was the refreshment table, which offered cookies and drinks.

UCHS Principal Julie Denson said she was excited about the “variety of vendors willing to come to the event and speak with the students.” She also said she wanted to extend her thanks to all of the people, vendors, and staff who made the event possible.