On Wednesday, March 13, students filled into the BHS arena as 80 college, university, military  and local business representatives waited for them. Every year in March, BHS hosts a college and career fair on campus. 

This year, as the organizers of the college and career fair, BHS counselors recruited help from the Minority Leadership Council and EdRising students to help college/career representatives bring their materials to their assigned tables and served as hosts/hostesses to ensure representatives and students were taken care of.

Before becoming a teacher and then a BHS counselor, Jennifer Watkins was an admissions counselor at the college she attended. 

“I see the benefit of college and career fairs for both our local colleges/universities and businesses as well as for our students,” Watkins said. “Especially at this time of year, it allows our juniors to jump start their search process and get on college and university mailing lists. It also allows our seniors to talk to the institution they are planning to attend and get whatever questions they have answered.” 

From state universities to local business ventures, there were many booths for students to look at and representatives for students to talk to. Junior Erin Jasper goes to the career center for nursing, and was interested in seeing what nursing programs were available.

“I was excited and wanted to see what all [the fair] had,” Jasper said. “There [were] a couple of good schools that have really good nursing programs.”

Watkins says students are not required to have any plans for their future to attend college/career fairs.

“As a matter of fact, those students who have no idea of what they want to do may come away with the most ‘new’ information,” Watkins said. “I only desire each student to know that with a high school diploma, all of our students have all the options, regardless of what they go home to! They truly can make the most for themselves.”

In addition to juniors being invited during their advisory period, sophomores and seniors were also invited to attend.An estimated 1,000 students attended.

Watkins says she hopes that students take advantage of all these institutions on campus and talk to as many of these institutions as they can.

“I hope they don’t assume that they can’t or won’t do something but truly explore everything that is presented to them that day so they can make the most informed decision for their life after high school,” Watkins said. “Knowledge truly can be power and I hope this experience can help give students confidence in their future plans!”