High school students turn the tables
<p>Emily Roman is interviewed by Mike Mires, dean of Professional, Technical & Workforce Education at North Idaho College, during the reverse job fair held Wednesday in Post Falls. More than 300 students from Post Falls and Lakeland high schools attended the event where they presented their career aspirations to area professionals to gain insight on the job market and interview techniques.</p>
POST FALLS - For about 300 area high school seniors, Wednesday's Reverse Job Fair offered more insight to their career choices.
For Sean Toothaker, it led to a change in his major.
The Post Falls High School student was planning to study pharmacy, but as he did his research in preparation for the fair, he changed his mind to teach English as a second language in foreign countries.
"Doing this changed what I want to become," said Toothaker between interviews with professionals who participated in the fair.
"I'm into traveling, so (teaching English abroad) is a more suitable career," he said. "I figured this would also be a more direct way to help people."
Toothaker said he's not worried about finding a job, but he believes the recession has made students zero in on a career choice earlier than they did before.
"It's helped people take a realistic view of their career," he said.
The fair, in its fifth year and presented by the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce's Business, Education and Workforce Development Committee, had a record student turnout and a record $5,500 in scholarships.
The event - as the name suggests - turns the table of traditional job fairs. Students have booths showing their strengths and career choices and professionals from the community interview them.
Students from New Vision and Mountain View high schools and Genesis Prep Academy also participated.
Among other things, students are expected to know how much they can expect to earn in their chosen field, what kind of hours they can expect to work and their prospects for finding a job. They're judged on preparation, presentation, poise and other factors.
"This program is a good example of what we can do when we work together for the betterment of our community," said Pam Houser, president of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce.
Rathdrum Police Chief Kevin Fuhr participated in the fair for the first time. He said it's a great way for students to get advice from professionals in the field they're interested in.
"I mentioned to some kids who were zeroing in on one agency to keep their options open on others," Fuhr said. "I also suggested that North Idaho College is a great place to start for law enforcement."
Post Falls High's A.J. Shetler, who is interested in becoming a Fish and Game warden, said he picked up useful tips.
"I heard that the more education you have, the better," he said, adding that taking courses such as biology helps. "It was a good experience for us to interact with people in the field."
Post Falls' Breanna Shefstad, who plans to become a pastry chef, said she learned about gluten allergies.
"One lady told me that she can't eat bread because she has gluten allergies," Shefstad said. "I want to look into that and be able to make something that's tasteful for them."