Partners for Education & Business Inc. has set the 3rd Annual Career Fair at Solvay High School for Friday, March 27. The purpose of the event is to promote career awareness, to explore businesses in and around Central New York, and provide career preparation for high school students that will help the students realize the connection between their studies and the skills and aptitudes needed by local employers.
The project originally began with the efforts of Cara Burton at Solvay Public Library. In the beginning, only the school’s business classes participated, but this year all classes are expected to participate. There are 680 students enrolled at the high school; in 2008, 400 participated in the Career Fair. This year, more than 500 are expected due to increased teacher participation.
Businesses participate in the fair to display new careers available, often with higher technology demands than in the past, and to look for new potential employees and network with other businesses. There will be approximately 50 employers and higher education institutions presenting, which will highlight a variety of careers including banking, cosmetology, sales/service, medical and dental, art, accounting, architecture, photography, meteorology, broadcasting, tractor trailer driving, environmental conservation, law enforcement, therapeutic massage, journalism, theatre, zoo careers, paramedic, electronics, plumbers and steamfitters, and geographical information systems.
Many of the presenters have ties to Solvay as well. Some of the local businesses that will be participating include ACMG Credit Union, Aramark, WestSide Physical Therapy, RockTenn, Solvay Fire Department and Perry’s Automotive. Many Solvay High School alumni will also be presenting, such as Joe Kowalewski, a tight end for the New York Jets; Matt Vincentini, funeral director with Buranich Funeral Home; Richard Scrimale, attorney at law, and Kevin Williams, from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department Justice Center.
The New York State Department of Labor will have on display projections for the top 10 careers both locally and nationally, as well as information on apprenticeship trade programs, such as painters, carpenters, electrical workers and sheet metal workers.
