Region's Employers Attend Annual Career Fair at Minuteman High School

In photo: Senior Horticulture student Jason English talks with Maria Bieri and David Palmer of Valley Crest Landscaping Company at the Minuteman Career Fair. To the left of Mr. English are sophomore Gannon Zdanavage and senior Nick Caldwell. To the right is sophomore Tim White. (Photo courtesy Allison Salisbury)

For Release:

April 13, 2016

Contact:

Steven C. Sharek

781-861-6500, ext. 7360 ssharek@minuteman.org

Region’s Employers Attend Annual Career Fair at Minuteman High School

LEXINGTON – Drawing from a pool of trained workers, nearly two dozen employers visited Minuteman High School this month for the school’s Annual Career Fair. The event, held off the school’s main lobby on April 12, attracted a diverse group of employers ranging from landscaping and catering firms to health care and cosmetology firms. All were looking for the same thing: qualified candidates for jobs.

Denise Gianoulis from Hairsay II in Arlington was looking for applicants for two part-time cosmetology jobs in her hair salon. Jeff Antonellis of Capron Lighting & Sound Co. in Needham was looking for workers for his company which provides temporary power for concerts, marathons, and other live events.

Both said it was their first time attending a high school Career Fair.

“We’re looking for people with a good work ethic – someone who shows up on time, someone good with customers, someone who’s pleasant,” said Ms. Gianoulis. She said Cosmetology students at Minuteman have a head start on others because they are prepared for their state Cosmetology license exam before they graduate. She herself attended Arlington High School and a private hairdressing school in Cambridge.

Mr. Antonellis of Capron Lighting & Sound said he was hoping to find someone “motivated” and willing to do “a lot of weekend work.” Ryan Frost, also from Capron, said “It’s all in the attitude.” Following the event, both said they met some students that showed real potential and might be hired.

Businesses and agencies participating in the Career Fair included Barrett Tree Service East, Inc.; Billerica Water Department; Capron Lighting and Sound Co., Inc.; Control Air Systems, Inc.; Garrick-Santo Landscape Co.; Gibbons Electric; Hairsay II; Hanscom Air Force Base – 66 Force Support Squadron; Hobbs Brook Management; Lexington Alarm Systems, Inc.; LogixHealth; McDonald’s; MIT Technology Childcare Center at Lincoln Labs; National Lumber; Right at Home; Supercuts; True Value by Ideal/Ideal Concrete Block; Valley Crest, and Walker, Inc. Several branches of the military were represented, including the United States Army, the Army National Guard, United States Airforce, United States Marine Corps, and the United States Navy.

Employers wishing to review the qualifications of Minuteman students looking for work can visit the school’s online Job Board: https://www.collegecentral.com/Minuteman/.

Minuteman students visited the Career Fair during their lunch period.

This year’s Career Fair was organized by Joseph Pitta, Minuteman’s Coordinator of Workforce and Economic Development, and Allison Salisbury, his assistant.

Minuteman is an award-winning regional high school that integrates robust academic and career & technical learning to deliver a revolutionary competitive advantage. The school serves a diverse student body with multiple learning styles, expanding opportunities for college and career success.

As an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), Minuteman challenges all students to aspire to their full potential, accelerate their learning, and achieve success in the 21st century global community.