By Kyle Roberts
Eighth grade sure may feel a long way from the “real world,” but for Ruston Junior High School principal Keshia Douglas, it’s never too early to show students their possible job options following high school graduation.
“It’s been on my mind as far as exposing eighth graders to different avenues before they get to high school,” Douglas said. “Students that we feel like if we don’t catch them now, they could go off track. It’s a passion that we are showing these students that whether you go to college, you go to the military or the workforce, that we started here. We don’t wait until they get to the high school.”
Packed into Ruston Junior High’s gym were Bearkit students as well as students from Simsboro School (Choudrant was unable to come despite an invite). Nearly a dozen businesses around Ruston and Lincoln Parish were in attendance.
“Career fairs are great,” Johnson Physical Therapy owner Jereme Johnson said. “I wish we’d had more growing up. You’re about to hit that pivotal point in life where you’re asking the question of what you want to do? For a lot of kids, they only know what they know, which is eighth grade. Most people are exposed to physical therapy by either getting treated or having a family member trait. I know for me, that was the case.
“I feel like it’s good fort kids nowadays to have a broad base on what is all available out there. I think exposure is is key. Getting getting early access or early knowledge is key for these kids. And I feel like these are great little events to do that.”
For eighth grade counselor Shelby Creel, her first career fair on staff was a rousing success.
“We’ve really been trying to put a bigger focus on their future goals to get them motivated to work towards something,” Creel said. “And so this was a good way for them to explore their different options. I’m just really excited that we were able to do this. We haven’t had a career day in several years, so it’s good to be able to get it going again.”
