(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) The Rosecrans Air National Guard Base hosted a career fair this week, inviting area high school students to learn more about Rosecrans’ facilities and how it operates.
Over 600 local high school students gathered at the Rosecrans Air National Guard Base to gain insight into the lives of the airmen who serve there.
More than 50 career opportunities were available for students to explore, ranging from aviation and engineering to cyber and medical fields, offering something for everyone and giving recruiters a chance to share their expertise.
Camille Maxey, a Radar Airfield Weather Systems Technician, expressed her enthusiasm for the career fair and the opportunity to shed light on her unique career path.
“It makes me really excited for the new generation. My whole experience with enlisting in the military started with absolutely no plans whatsoever after high school to enlist. I was going to go straight into college. And for me, it was just one of those freak moments where I woke up one morning and thought, ‘You know what? Let’s go ahead and enlist and see what the world has to offer me,’” said Maxey.
Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences in fields they were interested in.
For one student, personal circumstances had him questioning whether the Air Force was the right fit…
“I was kind of told that I probably wouldn’t be able to get too big of a job because I’m color blind, so that kind of threw me off. But this year, I’ve talked to some people, and they told me there are a lot more opportunities for someone with color blindness, especially in the electrical field,” said Cameron Greer, a senior at Winnetonka High School.
Even if these students don’t pursue a military career, they say the option remains open, and the experience could prove valuable in the future.
“Everyone I’ve talked to has been respectful and has given me as much information and knowledge as they could. So I recommend that everybody come here and explore their options,” Greer added.
Members of the 139th Wing hope this experience equips students with valuable skills, so if they choose to pursue a military path, they’ll have a solid understanding of what to expect.
“I’m extremely excited to see so many students coming in to gain awareness of the job opportunities with the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard. I’m sure it’ll be one of the best opportunities and decisions they could make if they choose to go this route,” said Captain Joshua Taylor, Communications with the Wing.
More about Rosecrans and the 139th Airlift Wing can be found here.