Bright futures ahead

Future fire marshals, photographers, forensic scientists, trauma nurses, art teachers and engineers were dressed to the nines Wednesday for the Post Falls Reverse Job Fair.

"It's going great so far, I enjoy every aspect of it," said Post Falls High School senior Holden Stefani, who has his sights set on working for a big company, like Microsoft or Samsung.

"I want to be a software engineer," he said.

Holden, who wore his dad's blue tie, said he was feeling pretty confident as he spoke with community members about his aspirations.

"It's great, getting to talk to people about careers," he said.

The Post Falls Chamber of Commerce has held the Reverse Job Fair for 16 years. It's an opportunity for students to earn scholarships, as well as interpersonal communication and public speaking skills.

This year, nearly 260 seniors from Post Falls High, New Vision High and Genesis Preparatory Academy presented exhibits displaying research on their desired careers, while more than 120 community members interviewed them about their research.

Post Falls High's Kaley Bohl has been interested in photography since she was in middle school. Her display included photos of colorful sunsets and gorgeous landscapes.

"I've always loved to capture the moment, it's something I'm very passionate about," she said.

Eden Hardison of Post Falls High plans to follow in her dad's footsteps to be a chiropractor. Her exhibit used small model skeletons to show different pain points throughout the body.

"My whole life, I've grown up with seeing my dad help people, them walking out and just feeling better," she said. "Ever since I was little, I've been like, 'Man, that seems really cool.'"

New Vision Alternative High senior Nevaeh Bartell has dreams of being an elementary school teacher.

"What has inspired me is I feel like growing up, it's important to have that one teacher that sticks by your side and never gives up and is a mentor for you," she said. "I really want to do that for someone else."

Another visionary from New Vision is Matthew Tavares, who has grand plans to be an entrepreneur, own a skate shop for youths and someday create an indoor skate park.

"I feel like opening my own shop, especially somewhere in the Northwest where there hasn't been one in over five or six years, would be a perfect opportunity to give people more of something to do, to experience and keep going forward when it's winter or rainy out," he said. "They could go to a skate park that's indoors."

Kylie Cutler of Post Falls is a civil/environmental engineer with J-U-B Engineers. She volunteered to interview students because she loves being involved in her community. She volunteered last year as well.

"I think it's great to be able to interact with these young adults," she said. "They're just so impressive. To hear the wisdom that they have, that I didn't even have at their age, it's amazing."