College or Career? Students to Receive Choices at Upcoming Event

ALAMEDA, CA - Should Alameda graduates go on to college or focus on getting a good job in the trades?

Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) is giving them choices when it holds a Career Pathways and Youth Job Fair this Friday, March 18, from 3 to 5 p.m., in the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School gymnasium.

The event is free to all high school students in Alameda.

During the event, high school students will have opportunities to apply for summer jobs and paid internships in local agencies and businesses, talk to representatives from the Peralta Community Colleges, and explore opportunities in vocational education.

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"This is our second annual job and career fair, and I expect it will be even bigger and better than last year," said Superintendent Sean McPhetridge. "We are excited to be able to provide students with more opportunities to learn more about career opportunities and gain work experience while they're in high school or right after they graduate."

AUSD will also provide a Resume Help Desk for students and information on the district's Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Participants in this year's fair include:

Colleges

• College of Alameda
• Berkeley City College
• Laney College
• Merritt College

Agencies

• Alameda County Public Defender
• Alameda County District Attorney
• City of Alameda Fire Department
• Alameda Recreation and Park Department
• Alameda Police Department
• Alameda Free Library
• Alameda Point Collaborative

Trade Unions

• Iron Workers Local 378
• Cypress Mandela Training Center, Inc.
• Pile Drivers Local 34

Health-Related Jobs/Education

• Pacific Homecare Services
• Bladium Sports & Fitness Club
• Alameda Hospital
• Bay Area Training Academy – EMT School

Summer Jobs

• Student Conservation Association
• Alameda Theatre
• Tucker's Ice Cream
• Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter
• Charming Charlie

"The partnership between the City of Alameda, AUSD, local employers, and my 'ALL IN – Alameda County' initiative is helping our youth achieve financial self-sufficiency," said Supervisor Chan, who launched the initiative in 2014 to help reduce poverty and inequality in the region. "The job fair offers important career guidance and helps students make the connections they need to succeed in career and life. The success of this year’s job fair shows once again how deeply Alameda is committed to the well-being of its youth."

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Alameda Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer also praised this collaborative effort. "It is a pleasure to be able to help students explore the connection between their education and viable career paths," she said. "I am also excited that providing local career pathways can provide local businesses with a custom-made source of skilled employees."

--Image via Shutterstock