From exploring careers in and outside planes to working on elevator mechanical equipment, Shortridge High School students experienced many opportunities on April 12 at their second annual Future Fair.
Hosted by Shortridge High School, the Future Fair featured booths from community organizations, military recruiters, college and university representatives and employers, and a 4,000 sq. ft ‘Xplore Zone.’
“We had a pilot test last year, and the kids loved it. We knew when we came back this year, we wanted to do something even more special,” said Heather Jackson, co-founder and CEO of iXplore, a woman-owned immersive tech company
Republic Airways, Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI) and the National Elevator Industry Education Program partnered with iXplore for the fair. All three companies offered students the opportunity to virtually explore and learn about possible career paths and speak with representatives regarding potential educational opportunities.
In the Republic Airways VR experience, students were able to view inside and outside of a plane, participate in interactive activities and learn about aviation career paths. Similarly, the National Elevator Industry Educaton Program explained their apprenticeship program and the application process to their labor and management career pathways.
EGTI showcased their subassembly career pathway as well as their job placement programs for young adults with disabilities.
“Normally, students with disabilities may not get the opportunity at a career fair to participate, but here they were shown some great opportunities in the world of work,” said Jackson.
In addition to the VR experiences, students were also able to have a free headshot taken through the Popcam, a fully automated professional headshot lounge which takes your photo then uploads it to the cloud for students to keep in their portfolios.
Intended to help students transition from school to their adult lives, the Future Fair is dedicated to guiding students to whatever their next path may be. The goal of the Future Fair is to make sure the students feel empowered and ready for their next steps whether that means entering the work force, enlisting in the armed forces or pursuing higher education.
“We see this as very student-centered. I think the kids have to be at the heart of it. The impact is we can get these stories to these kids and we can open up these opportunities for these kids,” said Jackson.
Contact Staff Writer Hanna Rauworth at 317.762.7854 or follow her at @hanna.rauworth
