By MATT PIKE
As the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce shifts from the summer to the fall, the mindset shifts from family fun-oriented activities, to business needs around St. Joseph.
Among those business needs, are employees, which is why every year near the start of the fall, the Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual Career and Resource Fair event at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center.
President Natalie Hawn says the Chamber typically holds a career fair in the spring and in the fall, designed to help anyone that is looking for a job.
"But we're trying to catch maybe that kid that graduated high school or college last year and maybe took the summer off or had summer jobs and is now looking for more of a career," Hawn says on the KFEQmunnity show. "It's a great time to catch that student that is ready for a career, or someone that is ready to find a different job or get back to work."
The Career Fair will run from 3 to 6pm on September 8th. Several area businesses will be on hand during the event that are looking for prospective employees for people to talk to.
Another opportunity for students to learn more about careers in St. Joseph will come up in October, with the annual Manufacturing Day event, as well as My Success. Manufacturing Day will be held on October 1st while My Success will run October 13th through the 14th.
Hawn says Manufacturing Day is a good opportunity for students interested in the manufacturing field to get a first-hand look at the job and jobs available.
"I got to tour Van-Am last year, and I was touring with one of the students, and he was so excited to see the CNC machine and his eyes lit up," Hawn explains. "He wanted to touch it, he was excited, and it's fun to see those kids get to truly see first-hand, they maybe are doing some of that at Hillyard Tech, but then to get to see that career opportunity and what it might look like if he were to go into machining."
My Success, the week following Manufacturing Day, brings in around 3,000 area seniors from around the region to the Civic Arena each year over the two-day event.
"That is designed to show career opportunities in the region," Hawn says. "So, whether you're going to go right into the workforce after you graduate, whether you need a certificate or you need a four year or master's degree or further doctorate degree, it gives you a chance to kind of learn about career opportunities and what would be needed educationally wise to start those careers."
Hawn says My Success provides a good mix of education along with major employers from around the region, including engineering, the military, and communications around northwest Missouri.
Interview
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.