They're doing this job fair in reverse

POST FALLS - North Idaho is a long way from Hollywood - or having that glamour feel - but Bethany Tarnowski still learned something on Wednesday about her career dream of being an actor or model.

Tarnowski, a senior at Mountain View Alternative High School in Rathdrum, was among 268 area students interviewed by 180 professionals during the annual Reverse Job Fair sponsored by the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls.

"A lot of people around here don't know much about modeling or acting and there's not many agencies, but I still learned some things," said Tarnowski while waiting for the next interviewer to stop by her career display.

"I was advised to look at the whole business of acting in case it doesn't work out."

Tarnowski said she has wanted to act since she was 3 and plans to compete in the world performing arts championships in Los Angeles this summer. She said the experience of the fair was beneficial.

"It's very backward from other job fairs, but this is definitely more relaxed," she said. "I think there's more stress on them (the professionals/interviewers) than us."

In addition to Mountain View, students from Post Falls High, New Vision Alternative High School and Genesis Prep Academy made booth displays, job shadowed and received letters of recommendation from employers before the fair and competed for $3,500 in scholarships. At the fair, they were evaluated on their personal skills, display board and other criteria.

"They've really embraced their career possibility," said Anne Hagman, the event's chairwoman. "It can either be an empowerment to pursue, a reality check or redirection of life's choices."

The event is a byproduct of business and education working together, Hagman said.

"The goal is for the students to have real-life connections," she said.

Post Falls High's Matthew Bartlett, standing by his carpentry display made out of waferboard, said the event solidified his career choice. He's also thankful he was given some heads up with the industry.

"I heard that some people are crusty and tend to be stuck in their ways, others are loose or bark orders," Bartlett said. "You've either got to learn to roll with it or compromise."

Karl Peach of Peach Orthodontics said the fair is rewarding to professionals as well.

"It's cool for me to come here and see some of my patients put their best foot forward, be confident and talk to adults," he said. "It's awesome to see this success-oriented environment. I was impressed to see how much work (the students) did for this."

Peach said he emphasized to the students he interviewed that it takes time and money to get educated.

"You've got to decide how much you want to invest," he said.

Post Falls High's Robert Carroll, who plans to become a police officer and drew attention with flashing lights at his display, said he's glad employers took time out to speak with he and his classmates. He learned more about different ways to become an officer, either through the military, attending an academy or going through a college program.

Carroll was reassured about his career choice.

"I've been wanting to do this since I was 6," he said.