M’CHIGEENG— Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute (KTEI) hosted its 15th Annual Career Fair this past week and the bustling crowds of youth milling through the booths seeking information on potential career choices was nothing short of impressive—it seems practice really does make perfect.
“It was good,” said KTEI’s Brian Bisson, organizer of the event. “We had over 240 youth taking part in six workshops throughout the day and a record number of post secondary institutions and employers for them to talk to one-on-one.”
Among those giving workshops on careers were Ontario Hydro, Mnaamodzawin Health Services, The Manitoulin Expositor and the Ministry of Natural Resources (with two workshops).
“We started out small,” said Mr. Bisson, “but we have been growing every year and this is our 15th year. “We have to thank the schools for participating, Little Current Public School, Assiginack Public School, Central Manitoulin Public School and Manitoulin Secondary School, we even had a school from Sagamok First Nation come all the way down from the North Shore.”
“The kids have been really great,” said Tracy Jacko, University of Toronto recruitment officer for First Nations House. She attends events like these over several months each year. “Students really seem to be engaged and interested in planning for their career,” she said. “We are seeing a lot of Grade 7 and 8s with some really good questions. It’s amazing at such an early age they are thinking ahead to what career they want to pursue. I don’t think I had any idea what I wanted to do even in high school.”
The Career Fair took full advantage of the bright sunshine holding a number of workshops outside.