Career Fair opens students’ eyes to future jobs

    High school students at Chase County Schools had a small peak into future employment opportunities at local businesses during an Oct. 19 Career Fair at the school.
    Twenty-seven businesses and other entities took part, including colleges and branches of the military.
    This year’s Career Fair was moved to the fall versus a spring time frame.
    Community Development Director Tyler Pribbeno said by having it in the fall, they are able to catch students earlier, especially the seniors, before they make career decisions and head to college.
    Pribbeno coordinated the event with 7-12 CCS Guidance Counselor Jacci Paisley.
    Students visited the booths set up in the auxiliary gym by classes—freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.
    Pribbeno said each class had about 40 minutes to browse the booths.
    However, he said several students said it wasn’t enough time to visit all the booths. With that in mind, he said they may extend the Career Fair to a day-long event next year.
    All students at the Career Fair were given a questionnaire afterwards, Pribbeno said.
    One question asked them if they’d consider staying or returning to Imperial after school. Of the 80 responses back, he said only seven students, or 8%, said they would not consider returning.
    The vast majority said they’d return here if there were opportunities for their career. Twenty-nine percent said they are open to the idea and would discuss it more.
    Pribbeno said that’s a good sign for local business owners.
    Businesses and schools taking part were City of Imperial, Frenchman Valley Coop, Imperial Yost Farm Supply, Imperial Manor, Imperial Beef, Chase County Hospital, 21st Century Equipment, Imperial Country Ford, Imperial Republican, Imperial Credit Union, Pinnacle Bank, Regier Equipment, Grosch Irrigation, Nutrien Ag Solutions, ALLO Communications, Wolf Chevrolet Buick of Imperial, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Chase County Schools, Upper Republican NRD, Imperial Police Department, Adams Lumber, HD Construction,Central Community College and Western Nebraska Community College.
    Personnel with the U.S. Army and Army National Guard also attended.