Introducing Future Careers in Northwest Iowa
Over 750 students from 15 schools came together at the Clay County Fair and Events Center in Spencer on Thursday for the ‘Build my Future’ event. This initiative, organized by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, aims to introduce students to the various career opportunities available in the trades and encourage them to remain in northwest Iowa after graduation.
Trevor Smith, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Iowa Lakes Corridor, explained the purpose behind the event. “We wanted to create an event that was for our students and our businesses up here in northwest Iowa because we see that there’s a huge need for a workforce pipeline, and so that’s why we decided to start the ‘Build my Future’ event in the Iowa Lakes Corridor region.”
The main goal of the event is to demonstrate to students that there are numerous career opportunities right in their own backyard. “This event is very important to retaining these students here locally because it shows that they don’t need to go all the way to Des Moines or Minneapolis to live and get these careers. They’re all available right here in northwest Iowa,” Smith added.
A Hands-On Experience for Students
More than 50 businesses participated in the event, each offering a unique experience for the students. Unlike a traditional job fair, every exhibit had a hands-on component that allowed students to see what the jobs actually involve. “It’s different from a normal job fair because every exhibit has to have a hands-on component that showcases what that job is like, and so we got large machinery, kids get a real-life look at what these jobs look like,” said Smith.
For businesses, this event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with students and showcase their operations. Donavon Wunschel, Vice President of Midwestern Mechanical, shared his perspective. “Not everybody is going to go to a four-year school, just what’s out there for our local area that people can learn, and grow, and do. It just makes for a lot of opportunities for our younger generation to come out and get into the trades or the skills.”
Student Perspectives
For the students who attended, the event offered valuable insights into the career options available in their region. Lukas Chappas, a sophomore at Spirit Lake High School, emphasized the importance of such events. “I think it’s important for kids who aren’t really sure what they want to be yet to get exposure to the hands-on stuff, and they can figure out what they want to do when they get older.”
Damian Vandehoef, also a sophomore at Spirit Lake High School, noted the variety of job opportunities in the area. “There’s a lot more jobs here. Spirit Lake is pretty boring. You go to Sioux Falls, and there’s a bunch of stuff. Here, you wouldn’t think that there’s as many jobs as there is.”
Olivia Leistikow, another sophomore at Spirit Lake High School, highlighted how the event helped students explore their interests. “Most of us are at least with our group, are interested in health care, and I think that made us learn more about how in-depth we want to go.”
Expanding Career Horizons
The ‘Build my Future’ event serves as a crucial platform for both students and businesses in northwest Iowa. By providing hands-on experiences and showcasing the diverse range of career opportunities available locally, the event helps bridge the gap between education and employment. It not only informs students about potential career paths but also encourages them to consider staying in their home region, contributing to the growth and development of the local economy.
This initiative is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation and local businesses, working together to ensure that students have access to meaningful and fulfilling career opportunities right in their own community.
