During Mountain High School’s annual college and career fair on November 6, representatives of colleges and universities, Job Corps, human services, and the military helped MHS students imagine the possibilities. Every MHS student was invited to attend the college and career fair, and the MHS Commons Area was abuzz with excitement.
Shaylee O. and Dominik H., both seniors, appreciated being able to visit each table. Shaylee, one of Mountain High’s young parenting students, was intrigued when she met with an Army National Guard recruiter. Shaylee’s long-term goals are to become a diesel mechanic and obtain a CDL license, and she learned during the career fair that joining the military could help her get there. “After I talked to the Army recruiter,” she said, “I could see how enlisting after high school could benefit me, especially as a mother, because it would help me and my daughter financially. Also, I’d get to stand up for our country, which would be a big bonus.”
Dominik’s favorite part of the event was the variety of participants. “It inspired me to look into my options,” he said. “I have been planning on the DTC, but it made me realize I have other opportunities as well.”
Mountain High’s 2024 College and Career Fair was coordinated by Kari Swenson, the school’s CTE and Career Center secretary. “I like organizing this event every year because it gives kids the opportunity to explore opportunities they may not know exist,” Swenson said. “I think it’s great for our students to be able to talk to school and military recruiters in a low-key environment, and I was impressed when I heard the representatives repeatedly tell our kids not to let worrying about paying for school get in their way. There’s money out there!”
As MHS students consider their futures, the Career Center helps them apply for admission to their schools and programs of choice. The center also helps them apply for scholarships and for FAFSA. Gerson Lucas Barreda serves as Mountain High’s scholarship coordinator. “Here at Mountain High,” he said, “we make sure that every graduating senior has a post-high school plan, so I meet with every student individually to help them create their plans. According to the ‘Three E’s’ of our mission, we want to make sure every graduate is either enrolled, enlisted, or employed. As a Mountain High graduate myself, I feel lucky to work with our students because it would have been helpful for me to have someone help guide me through the process.”
Mountain High’s counselor, Liz Sharp, also meets with each student individually as they prepare for graduation. “The transition out of high school can be a little crazy,” she said. “Anything students can learn about it is awesome, and it was cool to see students be willing to learn stuff during the career fair that they can take with them into their next conversations.”
Principal Greg Wuthrich agrees. “Being able to learn about somewhere they haven’t heard of before is an incredible opportunity for our students,” he said, “and being able to connect a person to that place can help facilitate the transition.”
Thirteen organizations participated in Mountain High’s 2024 College and Career Fair, including: Weber State, Utah State, UVU, SUU, and the University of Utah; Snow College, Davis Tech, and Avalon; Job Corps and Vocational Rehab; Army National Guard and Navy recruiters; and DSD’s military support team. For information about how to be involved next year, contact Kari Swenson at (801) 402-0502.