Thirty presenters, representing 23 companies and schools in the area, were on hand to share information with students and their parents during the annual LCHS Career Fair held Monday, January 25. Refreshments for the occasion were prepared by the food and nutrition classes at LCHS, under the direction of teacher Lynn Gay. Over 50 students and their parents took part in a career fair held Monday, January 25, in the LCHS Cafeteria.

The event was sponsored by the school’s guidance office and the CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) department.

“The goal of the fair was to expose those LCHS students, who may not seek a bachelor’s degree (70 percent nationwide), to potential careers available here in Lincoln County and the surrounding area,” said Ellen Butler, high school guidance counselor. “We need to convey to our students the important connection between what they learn here and what they will earn in the future.”

She went on to add that according to the publication “Inside Higher Education,” “Half of the nation’s 20 million college students are in two-year community colleges with the odds of achieving a four-year degree stacked against them.”

The career fair was set up to provide students with information regarding specific types of careers as well as training opportunities in the area. Among the topics covered by the various representatives were:

.. What a typical day at work is like.

.. What are some of the responsibilities inherent in the career.

.. What high school courses would be beneficial in preparing a student for a particular career.

.. What further training beyond high school is necessary to pursue the career.

.. Opportunities for advancement.

.. The availability of further learning.

.. The status of the job market.

“The response from both the students and the presenters was very positive,” noted Butler. “It was a great experience, and we hope to repeat it next year.”

She also expressed her gratitude to all of the presenters for taking the time out of their busy schedules to offer guidance and encouragement to the students at LCHS.

Among the 23 companies and schools present at the career fair were: the Rayle Electric Membership Corporation (EMC): Jeff Paul; the Georgia Power Company: David Kelly.

Lincoln County: the Public Works Department and Planning and Zoning Department – Roby Seymour, the Office of Emergency Services – Casey Broom, and the Sheriff’s Office – Darryl Bentley.

The United States Postal Service: Albert Mooney; the United States Army: Raymond Voorhees, Allen French, and Robert Rayford; Turner Realty: Carole Radford.

DeFoor Realty: Susan DeFoor; Elijah Clark State Park: Chris Hawn and Michael Madden; Farmers State Bank: Lauri Aycock; Dr. Robert William’s Office: Louisa Rickerson and Jane McWhorter.

Dr. Michelle Mason-Woodard’s Office: Shannon Cox; Dr. Greg Griffin’s Office: DiAnn Griffin; Select Medical Corporation: Kane Fulghum and Michael Newman; Mattison & Associates: Jim Mattison.

John W. Spratlin & Son Construction and Spratlin Hardware & Building Supply: Marcus Spratlin; Augusta Technical College: Dr. Elizabeth Chamblin, Julie Langham, Ken Jones, and James Cruz.

Augusta State University: Julie Swearinger; Middle Georgia College: Cheyenne Warnock; the Universal Technical Institute: Don Miller; and the UGA Lincoln County Extension Service: Monte Stephens.

Refreshments for the occasion were prepared by the food and nutrition classes at LCHS, under the direction of teacher Lynn Gay.