The Lakeside Career Expo, held April 15 at Lakeside High School, attracted junior high and high school students from across Webster Parish, offering them insight into a wide array of career paths.
The event, sponsored by the Webster Parish School Board’s career and technical education program, Jump Start, featured a large number of vendors representing education, manufacturing, healthcare, emergency services, finance, automotive, and local businesses.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of our first expo,” said Lesa Ward, Lakeside High School teacher and FBLA sponsor. “We reached out to the area parish’s businesses and they did not disappoint! We feel that, through this endeavor, we have planted many seeds to ‘JumpStart’ our students into thinking about their future careers.”
Colleges in attendance included Southern University, Bossier Parish Community College, and Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College. Manufacturing representatives from Fibrebond, Claiborne Electric, and Brown Electric participated in the event.
Healthcare organizations such as Minden Medical Center, Minden Family Dental, and Town & Country Nursing Home were also represented. First responders included personnel from the Louisiana State Police, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Minden Police Department.
Local businesses such as Under Dawgs, Minden Farm and Garden, and Minden Floral showcased career options, alongside finance institutions like b1BANK, State Farm, and Northwestern Mutual. Automotive vendors included Harper Motors, Dixie Overland, and Hercules AG & Outdoor.
Students engaged with representatives to learn about various industries and explore potential job opportunities. The event saw high attendance and participation from both students and vendors.
Plans are in the works to make next year’s event even bigger and better. Any vendors who wish to participate in the next Lakeside Career Expo should contact Lakeside Jr/Sr High School for details.
