Job fair helps students prepare for work
Getting that first job is a big step in the life of a teenager. This spring, hundreds of Milwaukee Public Schools students had the chance to explore the world of work and apply for jobs at the fifth annual Student Job Fair through the efforts of M3 partners. M3, a collaboration among Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, seeks to transform the future of Milwaukee by building bridges to higher education.
In March, nearly 500 high school juniors attended an in-person job fair hosted at the UWM. Students arrived at the student union dressed and ready to meet employers, with resumes in hand. Nearly 50 local businesses were in attendance eager to meet students and help with applications.
High school seniors got their turn to meet employers via a virtual job fair in April. More than 100 students had the chance to browse virtual booths and visit with about 60 employers.
Students took the opportunity to learn about career paths, ask questions of employers and apply for jobs on site. They had the chance to discover new avenues into careers into areas like manufacturing, healthcare, food service, hospitality, building trades, human services and recreation, as well as learn about City of Milwaukee jobs. The job fair allowed students to explore future careers while seeking short-term, long-term and summer employment. For many students, the fair was their first time applying for work.
Employers reported they were impressed with students’ preparation for the event and the genuine interest shown in their questions. Students shared that they learned about careers that they never knew existed but offered strong possibilities for career options.
Giving students a vision of a future career is an important step in preparing youth for the journey to college or technical training. The student job fair offers valuable first-hand insight into the world of work and developing a pathway to success.