BCC fair helps students look to the future

BARSTOW • By providing career and college opportunities together for the first time, Thursday’s College and Career Fair at BCC sought to help high school and college students plan ahead for the future.

“Most students are looking for a four-year degree and the job to go with it,” explained Samera Kabir, a Transfer and Career Center specialist at BCC who organized the event.

The setup of this year’s fair allowed students to look at a career that interested them along with a college where they could obtain the required degree. 

According to Kabir, approximately 300 people attended the fair along with more than 30 representatives from different colleges and career fields. Many organizers expressed satisfaction with the high turnout at the event.

While the fair was put on by BCC’s Transfer and Career Center, the wider community was also invited. Shuttle buses brought students from Barstow, Lucerne Valley and Silver Valley high schools to the event.

“It’s great that the high schools are here,” said Kristin Hernandez, a representative from California Baptist University. “They’re really curious.”

Ken Eaves, dean of Workforce and Economic Development at BCC, felt that the event gave high school students important exposure to career options.

Marisol Tores and Yachana Patel missed fourth and fifth period at Barstow High to attend the job fair and were excited to be able to talk to representatives from various schools.

Hernandez noted that the economic hard times are encouraging people to pursue higher levels of education to be more attractive to employers.

Christy Miller attended the fair to look into college options, as she is graduating from BCC in the near future.

“I want to continue my education to have more chance to get a job,” she explained. “Plus, I love school.”

Sonya Welch at Azusa Pacific University’s table was excited to see both traditional and non-traditional students show interest in APU, as the college offers not only undergraduate education but also accelerated learning classes for working adults.

Beyond college, the fair also showcased a variety of employment options, such as part-time opportunities at Walmart and the Tanger Outlet Mall along with other full-time careers.

 Barstow Police and Probation departments were at the job fair, with pictures and interactive information about their work. Deanna Schooler, a crime scene investigator and evidence technician with the Barstow Police Department and graduate of BCC, said her table got a lot of interest.

“I enjoy participating in this career fair to show current students that receiving their education plays an important role in pursuing your dream job,” she said.