Career Expo Held at High School

A Career Exposition hosted every other year by Pierce High School was held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, from 7-9 p.m.  Freshman to senior students were welcome to attend, and two scholarships were awarded, one to one freshman/sophomore student and one to a junior/senior student at the end of the evening as additional encouragement for students to attend. Attendance was not a great number, but participants were interested.

The evening began with a welcome and introduction by Mrs. Mary Birch, Pierce High’s Guidance Counselor. She introduced the keynote speaker, Ms. Kim Liebig, from the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) in Columbus.  Ms. Liebig’s main points were that students have the power to be successful if they apply themselves, take ownership of their actions, and be careful what they do, such as put information on the Internet about themselves.

            After Ms. Liebig’s presentation, students attended two breakout sessions.  These sessions lasted about 40 minutes and featured six career pathway groups: Environmental and Agricultural Systems; Communication and Information Systems; Business, Marketing, and Management; Human Services and Resources; Health Science; and two sessions of Industrial, Manufacturing and Engineering Systems. Each session had about six professionals in the career area who described their jobs, work activities, education needed, and rewards; then students and parents could ask questions.

            After both sessions had ended, Principal Mark Brahmer drew names for the two scholarships.  Freshman Bailey Sherman won the $100 scholarship, and foreign-exchange student and junior Michael Shaya won the $200 scholarship. 

            Mrs. Birch expressed her appreciation for the volunteered service of the many professionals who came to help students. Guidance aide Mrs. Fran Pytleski said, “We appreciate the panelists for coming and sharing their expertise. We also thank the students and parents for attending.  The Career Expo was a great success.” Shaya said, “I learned some things about the different types of health careers.”