Fairview Career Night proved to be an enjoyable event

This particular Wile E. Coyote was at one of the booths at the high school’s Career Night. Although Wile was, well, stuffed, he could be counted as one of a dozen volunteers and some 100 visitors who gave up their time for the well-attended event.

The career-focused event was organized for students — required attendance for juniors — as an introduction to different vocations or to learn more about ones they already know.

There were many professions from the medical field, local city officials, realtors, the military, law enforcement and many others. Yes, I represented journalists.

“We didn’t know what to expect” organizer Kellie DuBay Gillis. “We have about 100 volunteers. We were expecting 80-85. We didn’t know how burnt out people would be. So we’re pleasantly surprised how many stepped up and are here.”

The event had been popular in the past, but, because of the pandemic it was canceled just a few weeks before it took place in 2020. Last year, it wasn’t even scheduled.

There were reminders of the pandemic. Many still wore masks as a precaution. The tables for presenters were well spaced. But overall it was another pleasant show that we’re starting to return to normalcy.

“This is great,” co-organizer Kim Cantrell said. “We didn’t know what to expect after COVID. This is really a good showing.”

And then, there were the students. Not all of them were juniors.

“I work on the stage crew,” Freshman Graham Patton told me. “I came with my sister who is a junior and she had to be here. Stage crew is closed tonight because of this. But this is really great.”

One of the booths that had a steady stream of visitors was one for Cleveland Clinic’s Fairview Hospital.

“We’re dividing and conquering,” said Brianna Latta, an emergency room pharmacist. “We’re talking with different people. I’ve talked with about 20 so far. I really enjoy these things. This is a lot of fun.”

Students stopping by my table were great. They all had really good questions.

No, I didn’t try to steer them into the profession due to the big bucks, the international fame or the groupies. I did point out that communications is a hot vocation with almost every company searching for people who can communicate via many methods including, but not limited to, social media.

One group of three spent several minutes discussing communications. One was very interested in photography, while two were interested in marketing. I tried to give good advice. Basically, I said they needed to talk with counselors at their high schools and with advisors in college to decide what classes they needed to take.

However, with all of the students, I tried to give my best advice: get into a job that you’ll enjoy. Having a job that you’ll enjoy makes getting up and going to it easier each morning. If you’re looking forward to going to your job each day, it makes your job fun.

And, for those who remember the movie “Arthur,” fun is the best thing to have. I would have quoted “The Fun Song” from Spongebob, but I might have written Plankton’s version.

Thank you, Fairview Career Night, I had fun.

Contact this reporter at blove@westlifenews.com or 440-871-5797.