Quakertown Community High School students and community members had the opportunity to meet with local businesses at the school’s first Job and Career Fair. Monday’s event gave students the chance to visit prospective employers during the school day. After dismissal, adults were invited in for the same opportunity.
“The focal point is getting job opportunities for all of our students,” said Pathways Administrator Jason Magditch. “Overall we were very pleased with the interactions our students had with the outside industry professionals. We feel it was a benefit to our community and students and we hope to continue to build upon each year.”
The event was a resume-building experience for students, who needed to have one to attend the job fair. “They learned the importance of making a good first impression,” Mr. Magditch said. “I was very proud of them, and heard lots of good things from the business representatives about their professionalism.”
Students in grades 10–12 attended the fair. Companies with full-time positions set up in the upper gymnasium, where seniors were able to visit. Sophomores and juniors walked the hallway adjacent to the Cyber Commons to apply for part-time jobs.
Nearly three dozen employers with available full- and part-time openings in attendance included PondWorks, iTEC, QuakerColor, QNB, Shelly’s, Wawa, Wehrungs, M&W Precast & Construction Supply, Work Force programs thru BCCC, Aldi Warehouse, US Navy, Grace Ministries, ESY IU Bucks 22, Chartwells-Quakertown Cafe services, YMCA-Quakertown, US Marines, LifeQuest, YMCA-Upper Perk, RL Reppert (Ceilings/Partitions/Insulation), LifeSpan, Bergey’s, Hand and Stone, Kwik Goal, ESS, Custom Glass Solutions, Monarch Doors, Klover, Associated Builders and Contractors, Staples, OneSource Staffing, Clemmer Moving and Storage, Vacu-Braze, Leidy’s, Wells Fargo, Kohl’s.
Deanna Burke, a 2019 QCHS graduate, represented QNB Bank, where she began work as an intern in Human Resources and has turned that into a full-time position. “It’s nice to be back here and help the community,” said Ms. Burke, who’s set to graduate from DeSales University with a degree in Human Resources Management. “It’s amazing to speak with students and tell them my story. There were many who filled out paperwork.”
Two former QCSD administrators attended the event on behalf of their employers. Rachel Holler, assistant executive director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, said “There’s such a need to add career awareness” and credited the high school for being on the “forefront of that.”
Anita Kaseman, a former benefits manager in QCSD and Director of Human Resources for Wehrung’s, said it’s “great to give students a chance to see what’s out there and what kinds of skills they need.”
Principal Mattias van ‘t Hoenderdaal praised the efforts of Mr. Magditch, George Banas, Rachelle Quinter, and staff members for “putting together this exceptional program that benefits our students and the Quakertown community.”