Simulated Job Fair for middle school, high school students is Nov. 12

A Simulated Job Fair, intended to help northwest Indiana middle school and high school students learn firsthand how they need to prepare for future job opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, will be held, Wednesday, Nov. 12 in the Purdue University Calumet gymnasium.

Four sessions are scheduled between 8:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. Middle schoolers will be present from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Representatives from some 25 area employers, colleges and universities will be present to advise and enlighten the future job seekers. Nearly 1,000 students are expected to attend. The students have been encouraged to dress as jobseekers, prepare a resume based on projected career aspirations and research participating employers at the job fair web site: www.istemnorthwest.org/JobFair.htm.

Employer representatives will critique the students’ resumes and suggest improvement. Students also are preparing for the job fair through classroom activities.

I-STEM Northwest, which promotes education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is hosting the event.

“The objective of this Simulated Job Fair is to impress middle and high school students that there are outstanding opportunities for jobs and careers in STEM-related fields within northwest Indiana,” I-STEM Northwest Coordinator Dan Luncsford said.”But to obtain those jobs, students must start preparing now.”

Luncsford added that there will continue to be a growing number of STEM-related jobs in northwest Indiana “for ambitious, talented hard-working individuals. Students who show interest in STEM-related subjects and careers need to start preparing sooner rather than later. The sooner they start preparing, the better off they and the economy of our region will be.”

Other information can be obtained by contacting Luncsford at 219/989-2060 or luncsfor@calumet.purdue.edu.

News Release Date: October 28, 2008