BFUHS Students Explore Career Opportunities in Windham County
The Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) aims to ensure that every Windham County senior crosses the graduation stage with a plan for their next steps after high school. To work toward that goal, BDCC closely collaborated with Bellows Falls Union High School’s guidance and administrative teams and Bellows Falls “BF Trades” to bring a Career Fair to life in June.
The BFUHS Career Fair was attended by approximately 140 juniors and seniors. Over twenty local high-wage/high-growth businesses were in attendance, offering entry-level positions for summer work as well as full-time careers for graduating seniors. Each business’ table was adorned with stickers, candy and other swag given to students after they discussed career opportunities with hiring managers and human resources directors.
“I got to learn a lot about job opportunities at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital,” said senior, Ashely Bartlett, who plans to study social work at Plymouth State College this fall. “They have a lot to offer,” she said.
Students completed worksheets to reflect on businesses that particularly stood out to them, as well as naming personal qualities they possess that would make them a good fit for a career at their chosen business. Senior Stephanie Ager’s top choice was TD North Bank. “I’ve always thought being a banker would be interesting. I think I’d be a good fit for the job because I’m a hard worker, I’m always on time, and I’m committed to my tasks.”
“I would go with Cota & Cota,” said Edward McCormack. “I have friends who have worked there. I think I’d be a good fit because I enjoy cooperating with others and sharing ideas to help with the task at hand.”
Businesses in sectors ranging from healthcare to the trades, finance to manufacturing were happy to have the opportunity to interface with our county’s youth population. Said Jessica Hagland, AVP Store Manager at TD Bank, “I was very impressed by the students. Events like this are empowering for kids.”
“I was impressed by how well-planned and well-organized this event was – one of the best career fairs I’ve attended,” said Anne Meyer, Human Resources Manager at Fulflex. “I had a chance to speak with a number of students who would be a great fit for entry level careers. Let’s get these kids employed!”
BDCC and the career fair partners hope to see students applying to posted positions at all attending businesses in the coming weeks. For those who aren’t going directly into the workforce, a seed has been planted about employment opportunities to consider in years to come. Knowing there are quality career opportunities right here in their own backyard could bring back students who leave Vermont to pursue college or Credentials of Value. Whether young people stay, or leave with an eye to returning, career fairs help them understand that they can build a life here and thrive.
“The career fair represented a return normalcy,” said Sean Murphy, BFUHS Assistant Principal. We have been in the process of revitalizing our work based learning program and events like this allow us to connect young people to area businesses. Our goal is to offer multiple educational opportunities, in and out of the classroom. We are especially excited about partnering with area organizations because it is something that benefits both our students and the local community.”
“The BFUHS Work Based Learning program truly encompasses the definition of a flexible pathway toward high school graduation,” said Mark Gebo from the BFUHS Guidance Team, who helped organize the event. “Students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty, staff, and community businesses to explore multiple career pathways, gain 21st century employability skills, and obtain a high demand, high paying job within the local community. Our partnership with the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and Bellows Falls Trades is invaluable in supporting our efforts; the career fair was just one example of this.”
P3 gives special thanks to Michael Stack of Bellows Falls Trades for your help in organizing the event, and BFUHS’ Mark Gebo, Sean Murphy, Heather Waryas, Martina Mattison, Andrea Carlson, and the custodial department for your enthusiasm, dedication to career ed., and your willingness to make things happen for the good of the students, no matter the obstacles. We make a great team! We are looking forward to another terrific school year with a host of P3/BFUHS/BF Trades events starting this September!
Thank you to our participating business partners: SEVCA; Carroll Property Management, LaValley Building Supply; Bellows Falls Community Garden; Whitney Blake; Terrigenous Landscape Architecture; Sonnax, Against the Grain; Brattleboro Retreat; Fulflex; C&S Wholesale; Cota & Cota; Hubbard Breeders; Long Falls Paperboard; TD Bank North; The Bellows Falls Fire Department; Brattleboro Memorial Hospital; James Fuels; and Hireability
About Pipelines & Pathways
BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) provides employment oriented career-planning for the region’s high school students. It brings training in 21st Century skills, work-based learning, and personal learning plan (PLP) engagement opportunities to all four public high schools in Windham County. The program assists in developing workforce-oriented curricula, expanding classroom relationships, and growing work-based learning through opportunities with local employers. It also supports teachers working face to face with students to implement personal learning plans and seize the myriad opportunities presented by Vermont’s Flexible Pathways Initiative under Act 77. Pipelines & Pathways is a BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence program based on SeVEDS strategies to increase the size and quality of the workforce. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/workforce/
Funding for P3 is provided by the McClure Foundation, Vermont Training Program, Vermont Community Foundation, the Windham County Economic Development Program, The Thomas Thompson Trust, the George W. Mergens Foundation, People’s United Bank, Tom Smith – Omega Optical, and Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls.
