RACINE, OHIO- Leadership officials at Southern High School teamed up with Meigs County Ohio Means Jobs to organize a Reverse Job Fair on Friday, February 23, 2024.
This event provided a unique opportunity for students to showcase their abilities and sell themselves as potential employees to employers.
Unlike traditional job fairs where students travel around to speak with recruiters, at the SHS Reverse Job Fair, professionals spoke to students while checking out their career boards in the high school gym.
In the days leading up to the event, SHS juniors and seniors put in a lot of effort to create their career boards, which they presented to community professionals to demonstrate their skills. Thanks to SHS English teachers Mr. Bill Whitlock and Mr. Brian Allen for being a part of the important event where career connections were made along with communication improvement.
Various businesses participated in the event, including Toyota, Project RISE, Seabolt Seabolt & Co. Modern Apothecary & Spa in Pomeroy, COAD, Holzer, ODOT, Bellisio Foods Inc., West Virginia Division of Corrections, Coplin Health Systems, Austin Powder, Westerman Inc., Local 18 Operating Engineers, Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC), and the University of Rio Grande. Additionally, teachers from different grades filtered through to give their students an idea of what a reverse job fair entails.
During the SHS Reverse Job Fair, a senior student was offered a job by a participating company. So far, it’s unclear if the student will accept the job but she was very excited about the opportunity. Additionally, many connections between employers and potential employees were made with a promising outlook for the future.
SHS would like to thank Meigs County Ohio Means Jobs' Nancy Stotts and Shelly Adams for drumming up business interest for the event. OMJ leaders also donated backpack coolers, notebooks, and pens to the participating students. Appreciation also goes out to SHS leadership Principal Daniel Otto, Elementary Principal Tricia McNickle, high school Counselor Russ Fields, elementary Counselor Olivia Hawley, and Director of Operations Ryan Chapman for supporting the event.
Furthermore, we appreciate the students in Mr. Alan Crisp and Mrs. Brittany Hill's classroom for donating drinks and cookies to the event for the visitors. Additionally, Blueview Outdoors, of Racine, generously donated donuts for the business leaders to enjoy. We appreciate the businesses supporting the event.
Thanks to the custodial staff, teachers, and students who prepared the gym for the career-focused event.
