Cole Peterson, of METCO Alaska, talks to a group of students at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Cole Peterson, of METCO Alaska, talks to a group of students at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward students talk careers at fair

More than 50 businesses were represented

Seward High School students were given the opportunity to peruse their career options on Thursday at the school’s first Career Day.

Tables were set up in the school’s gym, commons, cafeteria and some hallways, each with a local professional for the students to talk to. Organizers said that before the event, students worked to identify some of the opportunities they may be interested in.

According to event fliers, more than 50 businesses were represented, including the Seward fire and police departments, Seward Community Health Center, PAWS, the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Seward Chamber of Commerce, Gateway Hotel, Seward Air Tours, Seward Properties, Homer Electric Association and Alaska State Court. Peninsula Clarion reporters also attended and spoke with students about journalism.

For two hours, students moved between tables, some checking in at many, others remaining at a single table for an extended period of time. Bruce Jaffa, of Jaffa Construction, held the attention of nearly a dozen students for around 30 minutes.

In addition to the more open job fair setup, a series of presentations were scheduled and delivered in the school’s auditorium. These were hosted by businesses participating in the career day, but somewhat more widely discussed pathways to careers in different fields like real estate, fishing and health care.

Mica Van Buskirk, president of the Seward Schools Site-Based Council, said career day has been a priority of the council’s for “many years.” Logistical issues including the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its realization, but when an opportunity presented itself this year, “it came together pretty fast.”

The career day was a unique chance for Seward students to be exposed to their local businesses and opportunities, Van Buskirk said. Plans are already in place for growing the program next year.

“We want this to be the first step towards building business partnerships in town, getting more internships and on-the-job training and mentorships happening in our town with our kids,” she said.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

A representative of AVTEC delivers a presentation to students at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A representative of AVTEC delivers a presentation to students at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward High School students visit tables and speak to local professionals at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward High School students visit tables and speak to local professionals at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bruce Jaffa, of Jaffa Construction, speaks to a group of students at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bruce Jaffa, of Jaffa Construction, speaks to a group of students at Seward High School’s Career Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Seward High School in Seward, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Poster for Return of the Reds. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)
Poster for Return of the Reds. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)
Return of the Reds returns after several-year hiatus

The Kenai event celebrates the start of the 2023 salmon season

Middle schoolers practice fly casting into the Kenai River during a kids camp put on by Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the Donald E. Gilman Kenai River Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Learning to love the watershed

Kids camp teaches fly fishing, ecology

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Seward man arrested on drug charges gave false identification, troopers say

Kevin Hakala, 42, was pulled over by Seward-based troopers on Saturday

Poster for 100% Alaska Town Hall & Family Day (Photo courtesy Change 4 the Kenai)
100% Alaska Town Hall to share assessment results, discuss state of ‘vital services’

The project is composed of four steps: assess, plan, act and evaluate

Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engines responding to the Charland Fire on May 21, 2023, near Soldotna. (Photo courtesy Kenai-Kodiak DOF)
9 fires reported on Kenai Peninsula since start of May

The largest local fire was the Charland Fire, which was reported on Sunday

File.
4 days in July set for Ninilchik razor clam harvest

The abundance of adult clams is below the threshold necessary to open the fishery in Clam Gulch

Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Police identify human remains found near Sterling Highway

They were located approximately 200 yards southeast of 43199 Sterling Highway

Most Read