Career Fair Opens Doors for Local High Schoolers.

By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network

CHERRYVILLE, NC (WNN) – It is not only the job of Cherryville High School teachers to educate their students, but also to prepare them for life beyond the classroom. One successful initiative that introduces students to the job market is the Cherryville High School Career Fair.

This year, the career fair took place on November 15, 2023. A variety of local employers set up booths around the school’s gymnasium, providing students with information regarding entry-level positions and internships.

Scott Heavner, the Career and Technical Education Career Development Coordinator for Cherryville High School, said the event has proven to be successful in the past. Heavner said Gaston County has been enhancing their career development programs to help students plan for their futures. 

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for kids to walk around and see all these jobs and careers that are available to them right here in their own backyard,” said Heavner. 

Heavner organized various companies to address the students, showcasing a range of industries at the Career Fair. These included construction, electrical, public works, and more.

Many students gathered around the booths for the Cherryville Police Department and the Cherryville Fire Department. Representatives for the City of Cherryville also encouraged students to try working for the city. 

In addition to promoting full-time positions, the organizers also encouraged students to consider internships. Beam Construction offers an internship to students ages 16-18. The program is highly technical, however, interns will also gain experience on the administrative side. 

Thomas Lewis, a representative from Beam Construction, highly recommends the program. This is the second year Beam Construction has attended the career fair, and many of their applicants are locally sourced. 

Cameron Wright, a former Cherryville High School student, launched his career through the 2022 CHS Career Fair. Intrigued by the Mister Sparky booth the previous year, Wright applied upon graduating high school.

Cherryville High School offers trades classes, such as an electrical engineering class. After taking the electrical class Wright discovered a talent for the trade. 

“I had a great time in [the] class, and I saw electrical over here, so it really interested me; benefiting me for my future,” said Wright. 

Present again this year, the Mister Sparky booth attracted many students with the interactive games. Several companies adorned their booths with games or gifts to captivate students.

Rusty Wise, the owner of the Mister Sparky franchise in Cherryville and founder of the Wise News Network, said that Mister Sparky has employed several Cherryville High School graduates over the years.

“The Career Fair exposes the students to the electrical trade field,”said Wise. 

Even though not all the attending students will graduate soon, the career fair planted seeds of inspiration among the masses. As they look to the future, Cherryville High School students have a bright path ahead of them with the support of their educators behind them. 

Interested in applying to one of the companies represented at the career fair? Check out the links below!

• Mister Sparky: https://www.mistersparky.com/electrician-jobs/apply-today/
• Beam Construction: https://beamconstruction.com/careers/
• The City of Cherryville and Cherryville Public Works: https://www.cityofcherryville.com/careers
• Piedmont Lithium: https://dev.carolina-lithium.com/employment/
• Dellinger Electric: https://www.dellingerelectricllc.net/contact-us.html
• Bosch: https://us.bosch-press.com/pressportal/us/en/contact.html
• Cherryville Police Department: https://www.cityofcherryville.com/police-department
• Cherryville Fire Department: https://www.cityofcherryville.com/fire-department 
• Carolina Federal Credit Union: https://www.carolinafcu.org/contact-us/careers/ 
• Heath Jackson Plumbing: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057223009372 
• Alcom Services: https://alcomservices.com/ 
• Erie Insurance: https://www.erieinsurance.com/agencies/nc

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