By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Presenters from 33 different businesses around the Quad-City area visited with students from Scott County Catholic schools Feb. 10 at St. Ambrose University.
Students from Lourdes Catholic School in Bettendorf and All Saints Catholic, John F. Kennedy Catholic and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic schools in Davenport participated in the annual career fair for eighth-graders.
Eighth-grader Katie Quinn pets a chicken at the Scott County Catholic schools career fair at St. Ambrose University in Davenport on Feb. 10. Katie is a student at Lourdes Catholic School in Bettendorf.
Meechee McNeil, counselor at All Saints, said each student visited 12 booths for about 15 minutes. There the students learned about what is needed to work in a particular job field, had some hands-on experience at some booths and were able to touch some equipment.
Examples of careers and vocations represented: optometry, forensics, photography, nursing, physical therapy, religious life, animal husbandry, agriculture, finance, EMT/paramedic, therapy, plumbing, pipe-fitting, law, hairstyling and juvenile court.
Some of the interactive activities featured a fire simulation machine, play therapy props, live chickens, cameras/lights, physical therapy and nursing equipment and forensics glasses.
New presenters this year were in the fields of animal husbandry (science of breeding and caring for farm animals), forensics, insurance, waste water management, metallurgical engineering, radon mitigation, student support services, geographic information systems, teaching and nuclear power.
All Saints student Tayla Slack said, “My favorite booth was the photographers. It was fun and interesting to learn what they do because I want to be a photographer as well.”
St. Paul the Apostle student Nate Timmons said, “It was a good experience to look into possible jobs for the future.” Madeline Murphy, also of St. Paul’s, added, “The presenters were able to answer any questions I had in an organized and fun manner.”
Sophie Cox of Lourdes said the exhibit with the attorney was her favorite because “he was informal but kept things interesting for us.” The career fair provided her with a couple of ideas for possible careers — one being physical therapy. “I am interested in it because it involves helping people, science and fun activities.”
John F. Kennedy’s Hope Fadiga said the paramedic exhibit was her favorite because the representatives were “very high energy. They were very honest about what it takes to do their job. I thought it was interesting that not every call is life or death, sometimes it is as simple as a cut that will not stop bleeding.” She thinks the fair gave students a variety of ideas for possible careers and how students can start preparing in high school for that career.
St. Ambrose provided box lunches for all in attendance. Students were also able to take a campus tour and attend Mass at Christ the King Chapel.
