College and career fairs have become commonplace at local high schools and universities in recent years, though Turlock Christian has been an exception. Teachers and administrators at the private school have always mapped out higher education and career options for students, but the experience of having potential employers and educators discuss pathways one-on-one with students has been unique. One TC counselor has tried to change that with the introduction of the first Turlock Christian College and Career Fair on Tuesday afternoon.
Among the colleges, military branches and local businesses that participated in the event, organized in part by junior high and high school counselor Ginger Aguiar, were Stanislaus State, UC Merced, Merced College, Modesto Junior College, Grand Canyon University, Jessup University, Harvest School of Ministry, Army, Marines, Turning Point USA, Turlock Police Department, Turlock Fire Department, Turlock Irrigation District, Foster Farms, P&F Metals, Yosemite Farm Credit, and Associated Feed.
An estimated 200 members of the TC campus community participated.
“It was a great opportunity for our students to see what some of the colleges and local businesses have to offer as far as majors, pathways, trades, and future career opportunities,” said Aguiar.
Aguiar explained that she was inspired to host a fair for her students after seeing similar events at surrounding schools, such as Turlock Unified schools and in particular Hilmar Unified campuses. Her son attends Hilmar High in part to the proximity of their family, and has seen successful fairs at those campuses.
“Just seeing the opportunities that Hilmar has offered showed me that I want our kids to be submerged in opportunities,” she said. “So many students come through each school, and when they leave, they take on such different paths. Not everybody’s journey is the same, and it’s important that we get them to start thinking about their next steps early. And having as many options in front of them as possible like we want at the career fair is a big help in that process.”
Aguiar began planning the fair in early August after conducting a student poll regarding their post-graduation aspirations.
“There was such a range of careers that students were interested in, so what I did was reach out to as many related businesses and programs and invited them here. Unfortunately, not all were able to make it, but still a really good amount that are on board.”
Additionally, she has seen first-hand the trend of students becoming increasingly interested in learning a trade rather than going to a four-year university. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, mechanic and repair trade programs saw an enrollment increase of 11.5 percent from spring 2021 to 2022.
“I think most students still plan on attending four-year universities out of high school,” Aguiar explained. “But more and more are deciding not to do that, it’s just not a reality for many students when you consider the competitiveness and the cost these days. Maybe they choose to attend a community college, maybe it's learning a trade instead. You don't always need that four-year degree. It helps in many cases, but I just want students to know that there are lots of options.”
As part of the Merced College contingent on Tuesday were members of their CTE (Career Technical Education) programs, like welding, auto shop and electrical professors and students.
Somewhat unique to the TC campus was an interest in the clergy, with a handful of students hoping to become pastors as adults.
“When you poll these students and see the wide range of interests, it proves that not everyone's the same and not everybody should go on the same path,” Aguiar said. “It makes it all the more important to have as many organizations as possible showing them that there are ways to achieve those dreams.”
