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School Expo shows students local career opportunities

A person can get a good job anywhere, but there are only a few places where a person can have both a satisfying, well paying job and a good quality of life. The Barrhead-Westlock area is one of them.
From left: Neerlandia Public Christian School Grade 9 students Hannah Tuininga, Sophia Demuynck and Laura Olthuis take part in a fine motor control exercise designed for
From left: Neerlandia Public Christian School Grade 9 students Hannah Tuininga, Sophia Demuynck and Laura Olthuis take part in a fine motor control exercise designed for strengthening hands. The exercise was led by Pembina Hills Public Schools occupational therapist Amy Dobrowolski.

A person can get a good job anywhere, but there are only a few places where a person can have both a satisfying, well paying job and a good quality of life. The Barrhead-Westlock area is one of them.

That is how Mark Oberg, County of Barrhead manager kicked off the Pembina Hills Public Schools’ (PHPS) School Expo.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, close to 1,000 Grade 9 to 12 students converged on Barrhead Composite High School from all over the district to see what career opportunities are available for students after they graduate high school.

“The purpose of this expo is to show you what career and employment opportunities are available right here in our own communities of Barrhead and Westlock,” he said, adding while it is important for students to think about their future careers there are other things to consider. “In our communities you can have a good quality of life and in time you will find that is more valuable than the job.”

Ryan Warehime, Town of Barrhead’s deputy mayor, said the expo gives students an excellent opportunity to learn more about potential careers. He urged them to keep an open mind.

He said for most of his high school career he wasn’t a stellar student.

“It wasn’t until I was in Grade 11 that I read my first book from cover to cover and was just average in my studies,” Warehime said. “And it took me until the spring of my Grade 12 year before I figured out what I wanted to do with my life — work in public relations.”

Unfortunately for him, his program of post-secondary study required a minimum of 75 per cent in both English and social studies. Grades he didn’t have. Warehime did not let that dissuade him. Instead of accepting his fate he decided to upgrade his marks by enrolling at the Alberta Distance Learning Centre in Barrhead. In less than a year he had upgraded his marks to the point that he was able to enter Mount Royal University from which he graduated in 2010 with a public relations degree.

“The moral of my story is while what you do in high school is important, it doesn’t have to dictate your future and despite what your parents might tell you there are many worthwhile careers other than engineering, medicine, education, finance or law that you are often pressured into,” he said, adding today he is a successful business owner and member of town council. “Today you will talk to many people who have taken many different career paths, but I challenge you to open your mind and explore opportunities you may have not even known existed.”

Cheryl Callihoo, Barrhead’s director of administration, said of the students who stopped by the town’s display they all seemed open to different possibilities.

She added many of the students who stopped at the booth told her that they had not considered a career in municipal government, but after talking with staff said they were seriously reconsidering.

“There are so many jobs and skills sets needed to run a municipality and I don’t think a lot of people realize the opportunities that are available, from trades people to professionals,” Calihoo said.

Cst. Penny Gavin, from the RCMP K division recruiting office, said she was impressed with the quality of the students’ inquiries.

“I’m not sure how many will end up applying for the RCMP, but just from the first 20 students I have talked to you can tell how serious they are taking this opportunity,” she said.

Caitlin MacDuff, a Grade 12 Westlock R.F. Staple student, said she has been considering becoming an RCMP officer for some time and welcomed the opportunity to get more information from serving officers as well as from the other exhibitors.


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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