CPTC Career Fair, Open House Demonstrates Futures

By: Kelsey Christensen

More than 2,500 high school students and community members gathered to learn more about the many career training programs at Clover Park Technical College’s Open House and Career Conference May 9.

“Having this annual event provides an opportunity to open up to the community at large,” said Mabel Edmonds, CPTC dean of workforce development. “It’s all about telling our story.”

Staff and faculty members, in conjunction with industry professionals gave demonstrations and provided students with information about their industry. Other colleges such as the University of Washington Tacoma also participated in the career fair to reach out to students in a transfer fair.

Pamely Nunez, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School, said she was happy to be at CPTC’s career fair even though she was a freshman.

“I thought if I start now I could get good ideas of what I want to be in three years,” Nunez said.

Nunez also said she enjoyed the atmosphere of CPTC’s career fair. “It’s really loud, but it’s friendly,” she said.

Darionte Harrison, a student at Career Academy at Truman High School, said he was most excited to learn about aviation.

“They’ve got a lot of career options,” Harrison said.

“You do have the chance to see the array-or variety- of what we offer,” Edmonds said.

A co-mingled recycled table set up by Ric Thompson, community outreach manager at LeMay Pierce County Refuse, showed students the importance of attention to detail when working in a Waste Connections Company.

Meeting new people and having the opportunity to explain the industry motivated Thompson to participate in the fair.

“I’m excited about the recycling portion of it,” Thompson said about his industry.

Tracey Turcotte, program director at Washington Business Week, focused on showing students the benefits of summer business programs like earning college credit and other recognition.

“This program looks really good on scholarship applications,” Turcotte said. “Students can stand out for the right reasons.”

The McGavick Center served as the main hub of the fair, however, various activities and events took place all across campus.

The pharmacy technician program helped students learn how to make toothpaste.

A CPTC student stood outside the building where the histology program is housed and promoted the importance of histology and its significance in the medical care industry.

Governor Inslee spoke at the opening of CPTC’s Zero Energy House and acknowledged the three years of work CPTC students dedicated to building the structure.

The car show sponsored by the automotive programs also attracted many students and community members.

“We’ve brought in many of our cars for repairs and maintenance at CPTC,” said Mike Fowler, a volunteer at the LeMay Family Collection Foundation.

“I think everybody was really pleased,” said Edmonds about the day’s events.