Starkville Students Turn Tables at Reverse Career Fair
Starkville came alive as talented students from the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District’s Millsaps Career and Technology Center showcased their skills in a refreshing twist on traditional career fairs. Students took the spotlight, manning their own booths and displaying their hard work to industry professionals.
A New Kind of Fair
This first-ever reverse career fair for Millsaps was a vibrant success, thanks to the hard work and dedication of a teacher in the education preparation program. The event aimed to create a space where students could shine and connect with potential employers in a less intimidating setting. “This is an opportunity for our industry to meet our students,” she explained. “The goal is to network and practice presentation skills while highlighting what they’ve accomplished in their classes.”
Connecting Students with Industries
The Starkville High School cafeteria buzzed with energy as second-year career-technical education students presented their projects across a spectrum of fields, including horticulture, welding, digital media, and unmanned aviation. As they shared their journeys and portfolios, industry professionals, teachers, and local businesses looked on, eager to discover new talent and potential interns.
This fair is a fabulous way to get students involved in discussions about employability skills, which is a key focus for instructors who meet with local industry advisory boards twice a year. The feedback from industry professionals was overwhelmingly positive, with many noting they were keen to offer job shadowing and internship opportunities. “Events like this highlight the importance of connecting students with industry professionals,” added an Executive Director of an organization dedicated to raising awareness about construction careers.
Preparing for the Future
Many students found the fair beneficial not just for networking, but also for gaining confidence in their presentation abilities. A senior shared, “A lot of times it can be scary to go into an interview for the first time. But doing things like this gets you used to talking to people you don’t know.” She took advantage of the opportunity to showcase her portfolio, which sparked engaging conversations about her future aspirations.
Eye in the Sky: Drones and Beyond
Meanwhile, a senior in the unmanned aviation program shared knowledge about drones and their various uses. Not only did he showcase his coding skills, but he also sought advice from industry professionals, diving deep into discussions about possible career paths. “It’s all about building those connections,” he highlighted. “Meeting with business people gives you a chance to get your foot in the door and really understand what’s out there.”
Looking Ahead
With the success of this year’s reverse career fair, plans are already underway for next year’s event. “We want to start each nine weeks focusing on employability skills—things like dressing for success and mastering interviews,” she said enthusiastically. “The ultimate goal will be to cap off the year with another fair in the spring.”
The reverse career fair proved to be a stepping stone for students thinking about their futures, and it’s clear that Starkville is committed to preparing the next generation for the workforce. With vibrant participation, these young minds are surely on the right path to building fulfilling careers!
