“This is an important event because it allows our students to start and/or continue planning for life after High School and that is part of our mission at Thornapple Kellogg High School. This event also allows our students to start creating connections with post-secondary institutions and professionals within the workforce,” said Layn Welker, who helped organize the event.
From technology, to construction, colleges and trade schools, health care and branches of the armed service, company representatives spent half a day talking with students about careers within their companies, and what schooling or training was needed.
Students enjoyed the many giveaways provided by many of the representatives - from donuts and hats to backpacks and key chains. More importantly, students collected business cards and made connections for possible summer jobs, internships and future careers.
Welker said the career fair has been useful for students. “Students get to explore and have questions answered that only professionals within an industry could answer and that helps the student make decisions about their future,” he said.
Members of the junior and senior classes were invited to attend the fair.
Welker said he’s very appreciative of the many companies who were part of this year’s fair. “The reason we have had success with this event the past 3 years is because of the professionals who volunteer their time to come in and speak with our students. These professionals are passionate about what they do and who they represent and that helps to create great student engagement. We are very grateful to these individuals and businesses, and we look forward to seeing them every year at our College and Career Fair. I wish there was more we could do to thank them.
Companies attending Wednesday’s career fair included:
Manufacturing Sector
- Bradford White
- Autocam Medical
- Hastings Fiberglass
Architect, Engineering and Construction Sector
- Owen, Ames and Kimball
- Kate Brock Interior Design
- Architectural Metals
- VanDyken Mechanical
- VanLaan Concrete
- Grand Valley Automation
- Kent Companies
- Choice Concrete
- Burgess Concrete
- Proline Concrete
- Lown Custom Homes
Healthcare Sector
- Corewell Health Pennock
Education Sector
- Community Action Head Start
Finance Sector
- High Point Community Bank
- Thornapple Valley Credit Union
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Sector
- Everett’s Landscape
- Pro Mow Landscape
- GreenMark Equipment
Public Safety Sector
- Barry County Central Dispatch
- Thornapple Twp. Fire and EMS
- Barry County Sheriff's Department
- Barry County Mental Health
- Michigan State Police
Community Colleges/Trade Schools
- Kellogg Community College
- Kellogg Community College - RMTC Brun Industrial Trades
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Grand Rapids Community College MTEC
- Universal Technical Institute
- Cornerstone University
- Saginaw Valley
- Alma College
- Calvin College
- Michigan State University
- Central Michigan University
- Aquinas College
- Ferris State University
- Paul Mitchell Beauty School
- West Michigan Construction Institute
- Grand Valley State University
Energy
- Tri County Power
Branches of the Armed Services
- Marines
- Air Force
- Navy
- Army National Guard
- U.S. Army