MOBERLY — Moberly high school students met with potential employers and learned about career opportunities Wednesday at the Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce’s Employer Showcase at Moberly High School.
Moberly School District Superintendent Cristina Wright said the annual event gives students an opportunity to see different career paths and other opportunities after high school.
“We train our students and educate them to come back and make our community strong,” Wright said. “Especially in our rural community.”
Some students stay in Moberly after graduating high school.
“Very regularly, especially because we have Moberly Area Technical Center and we partner with our local businesses … lots of our young people transition from the high school setting into careers directly,” Wright said.
The showcase had more than 25 tables for students to visit. It included businesses like the Randolph County Health Department, the Walmart Distribution Center, Capital Academy and the Grand River Welding Institute.
“Local towns make the world go round,” said Eric Adams, the founder of the Grand River Welding Institute.
Adams said he believes it is important to have students stay and work in their local, hometown community.
He said it is good for students to venture out of their hometown to learn at different schools because eventually they can come back and help the community with the skills they acquire.
“I traveled for 20 years, and I’m here, right back at home, and I started my own business,” Adams said.
Students could talk to health care workers and first responders at the event. The superintendent said students have a lot of different options, and they explore their skill set to see which is the best fit.
Employer showcases like this can allow students to consider benefits, salaries and how much training goes into different careers.