On April 22, Castle Rock High School was buzzing with excitement as over 500 students gathered at their annual career fair. The event featured 55 vendors from across the region, offering students a glimpse into a wide range of career paths. Participants included representatives of the U.S. military, Weyerhaeuser, and Fibre Credit Union, making the fair a gateway to numerous opportunities.
One crowd-pleasing moment was when the Washington State Department of Natural Resources landed a helicopter at the fair. Josh Mohler, DNR’s new training coordinator, believes that while the helicopter captured their initial attention, DNR’s various jobs, from summer firefighting to administrative roles, kept students engaged.
“A lot of kids go to school with an idea of what they want to be when they grow up, and they realize it’s not the right fit,” Mohler said. “We show them there are different options out there.”
This year marked the fourth annual career fair at Castle Rock High School, and the first time it was open to multiple schools. High schoolers from Toutle Lake, Toledo, Winlock, Longview, Stevenson-Carson, and Castle Rock’s 8th graders, participated in the event.
For Hunter, a junior from Mark Morris High School in Longview, the career fair was an invaluable experience, offering him the opportunity to delve deeper into his chosen career path. With a clear interest in heavy equipment and crane operations, he actively sought out vendors like the Army, West Coast Training Trade School, and union representatives. Equipped with specific questions about hours, benefits, and employment styles, Hunter was able to gain a better understanding of his potential employers.
“Coming to a place like this, you get to see what your life would look like and get a better idea of what you want to do,” he said.
While some students like Hunter have a clear plan, others attend the fair to explore possibilities. To help them prepare, Castle Rock High School seniors spent a month getting ready for the career fair under the guidance of Collin Nelson, the school’s agriculture and mechanics teacher, and the event’s main coordinator. By conducting resume writing workshops and mock interviews, and practicing effective communication, Nelson helped lay the groundwork for his students’ success.
“They’re excited about the event, but nervous to talk to potential employers, which is completely normal,” Nelson explained.
The career fair’s growing success is evident. From its humble beginnings in the school gym, the event has expanded to the parking lot to accommodate its increasing popularity. Over the years, the fair has helped students secure internships, part-time jobs, and full-time employment. For one student this year, it even resulted in a college scholarship, making the fair a valuable resource for their future endeavors.
“I think it builds on itself every year,” said Lindsey Worley, the Community Prevention Project Coordinator for the Castle Rock Care Coalition and a member of the fair’s planning team. “Word gets out and people want to know how to be part of it.”
For businesses, the career fair is not just a recruitment opportunity, but a chance to foster a strong connection with the community. Nelson, emphasizing these companies’ dedication, highlighted that they generously donate equipment and employee time to participate in this event.
“It’s a high-value resource that these companies are giving up to be here,” Nelson said. “They care, and they want to create that connection.”
Planning for this is a year-long process, as Nelson and his team are already working tirelessly to coordinate with vendors for next year. The career fair’s reputation has grown so much that businesses now reach out to Nelson to participate.
“We’re a small town, but this is a huge event,” Nelson remarked.
Businesses or schools interested in participating in next year’s career fair can contact Collin Nelson at cnelson@crschools.org.
