For teens looking for an immediate job or considering their future, the Clear Creek High School career fair was a place to get information and talk to those from different businesses.
Dacia Kelly, the district’s career connections coordinator, was happy with the range of businesses and organizations represented at this year’s fair. Students walked through the gymnasium on May 23, stopping at tables to find out what jobs were available.
Among those represented were Army and Marines along with ATV Tours, Idaho Springs police, Hiwan Golf Course, Albert Frei & Sons, Clear Creek Rotary and more.
Clear Creek principal Chris Gould said counselors and teachers asked students what they wanted the school to look like in terms of career education, and the staff is exploring what the school can do.
“We’re getting a better sense of college and career pathways and what our students might enjoy experiencing," he said. "We will need to work to build that out over the next few years.”
Sophomore Ella Lesser got a lesson in what firefighting gear looks and feels like as she donned pants, a coat, a pack and a helmet. She noted that firefighting might be the career for her.
Evergreen Fire/Rescue volunteer firefighter Steve Granddjean Targos told Lesser how much he loved being a volunteer, explaining that he liked the push and pull between his job where he sits at a desk most of the time and volunteering where he is actively helping someone in the community.
“I couldn’t recommend it more,” he told Lesser. “We get to help the community.”
The Phoenix Gold Mine in Idaho Springs is looking to hire cashiers, gold-panning instructors and tour guides, and Janice Kaup, the marketing and operations manager, said that they’re mainly outside jobs.
She said jobs were available for high school students not only in the summer but throughout the year.
“It’s not a common job,” Kaup noted, “but we want Clear Creek teens to know that there are jobs available.”
The Clear Creek Rock House is looking for teens to help out on its Summer Fun Wednesday Nights, where youth can play games, sing karaoke, have scavenger hunts and play outdoor games.
The Clear Creek Library District has internships and volunteer programs available for teens.
The Henderson Mine had several tables, showing science demonstrations, conducting trivia games and giving away swag to students. While the molybdenum mine doesn’t have jobs for teens, officials hope their tables pique students’ interest in pursuing careers in science.
“We hope they keep us in mind,” said Miguel Hamarat, environmental manager for Henderson Mine. “It’s good to get students to pursue mining or other science careers.”
