Greenfield-Central High School has hosted a job fair annually since 2022.
Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter features our “Neighbors” each month, whether it be someone with an interesting hobby or profession, or a nonprofit group making a difference in our community. Here, Darren Turner, specialist for Greenfield-Central High School’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program, shares about an upcoming job fair for students and the general public. The Community Job Fair is open to high school juniors and seniors from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 2, and open to the public 3:30-6 p.m. April 2 at the high school, 810 N. Broadway St., Greenfield.
Daily Reporter: Why does JAG host a job fair?
Darren Turner: GC JAG began hosting the fair in 2022 in order to make it a Project-Based Learning activity for the JAG I classes. That initial year was directly after Covid and the community had “help wanted” signs everywhere. The students at that time wanted to expand the fair from students only to the community to try and offer assistance to our local employers as well as community members to find employment. The fair helps students by allowing them an opportunity to research the type of careers they could potentially have in the future as well as finding jobs for now. Students and community members are encouraged to dress for the fair as if they are going to a job interview and to bring copies of their resumes. In the past two years, we have had exhibitors interview attendees on the spot and hire them.
DR: How many exhibitors come?
DT: The past two years we have been in the mid-40s with businesses, colleges, trades, and military attend as exhibitors. At this point in time, we have commitments from at least 53 exhibitors.
DR: What types of job opportunities are available there?
DT: We will have a variety of job opportunities in different occupations from our exhibitors. Some of these areas include construction, education, food preparation and serving, healthcare, maintenance and repair, management, military, personal care and support, production, protective service, sales, transportation, and more.
DR: What do students take away from the event?
DT: Many students have told me that they have enjoyed the event because they were made aware of career opportunities that are available to them that they never knew about. We always hope that students and community members can find employment from the fair, but our true goal is for students to become more aware of what is available to them for their career. If this happens, we feel we were successful.
DR: How popular is this event for the general community?
DT: The past two years, we have had approximately 375 students and community members attend the fair. Of course, we have a captive audience with students, but it is not mandatory that they attend. In regards to the community, we have had a low turnout each year in the mid-20s. We do our best to market in the community with banners, yard signs and posters in the few weeks leading up to the fair. We utilize our Facebook account, very much with promoting this event. We would love to increase our attendance from the community at the fair this year. We will have two food trucks (Gocki’s Smokin’ BBQ and Samona’s Mexican) this year that the community is encouraged to come and purchase from between 3:30-6 p.m.
Those who wish to exhibit at the event should email [email protected]. For more on social media, visit facebook.com/JAGCOUGARS. The high school’s website also has a slide show of all exhibitors and sponsors, at gchs.kcsc.k12.in.us.
