The two-day event included a full line-up of 21 different community speakers. Each day, students could choose three different presentations to attend.
Bradford White brought in several professionals over the two days to talk about many different aspects of Barry County’s largest employer. Julie Foster and Laura Walker talked about their jobs in operations; Jason Heist and Kate Baumgardner talked about human resources, and Troy Rice and Conlin Britton explained engineering and drafting careers.
Many of the presenters are TK alumni and, like Dr. Jayne Courts, have been returning to present at the career fair for many years. Courts, a medical doctor, brings a pig heart and lung to demonstrate how the organs function. “I like doing this. It’s fun to see the students get excited, and they ask some great questions.”
Barry County Judge Michael Schipper is also a longtime career day speaker. His presentation includes a mock robbery suspect entering the room during the presentation. Students are then asked what they remember about the suspect - what he was wearing, what he was carrying, etc.
Jason Heist from Bradford White gave students a small Lego set to build their own water heater. But he reminded students, their finished product had to meet quality standards and be done to precise instructions. He said the goal was to be fast in production, but also accurate in details.
The career day presenters give students an idea about what their day is like at work, what education they need for their job, and even how much vacation and time off they earn. Some also talked about what led them to their profession.
The fair gives students a chance to start thinking about the many possibilities available to them and consider what levels of education they’ll need to pursue those careers.
Presenters at this year’s career days were:
- Julie Foster and Laura Walker - Bradford White Operations
- Mike Schipper - Barry County District Court Judge
- Addison Schipper - Assistive Technology Professional
- Marlee Meads - Bay Pointe Inn Marketing Manager
- Susan VanDuine - Corewell Health Registered Dietitian
- Becky Barnard and Madison Haywood - South Kent Vet Clinic
- Sgt. Scott Ware - Barry County Sheriff’s Department
- Mark Hazle and Sierra Grogan - Revolution Farms
- Jason Heist - Bradford White - Human Resources
- Troy Rice - Bradford White - Accounting/Human Resources
- Matt Palmer - Accountant
- MaKenzi Peters - Carveth Village Administrator
- Cade Dammen and Sawyer Overway - Owen Ames Kimball Director of Field Operations
- Conlin Britton - Bradford White Industrial Engineer
- Dr. Becca Kursch and Heather Switzer - Veterinarian
- Brian Schneider - Owner Pixel Perfect Video Games Store
- Dr. Jayne Courts - Medical Doctor
- Bill Richardson - Thornapple Township Fire Chief
- Lauren Wolfenbarger - Hair Stylist
- Dr. Sonni Pellillo - Orthodontist
- Kate Baumgardner - Bradford White Human Resources