Columbia Fire Department Capt. Nathan Guy encouraged Trace McNabb, a West Marion High School senior, to keep trying.
McNabb was taking part in a demonstration of the CFD’s fitness standards as he and nearly 300 seniors from around Marion County participated in the Marion County Carl Loftin Career & Technology Center’s College and Career Fair Thursday at the Columbia Expo Center.
“This is the first of eight events he’d have to pass if he were a candidate to work at the Columbia Fire Department,” Guy said. “Each of our candidates has to pass the physical ability test.”
Across the floor representatives from 30 colleges and businesses spoke with the seniors from Columbia High School, Columbia Academy, East Marion and West Marion high schools.
“We tried to increase the number of businesses and industries this year,” Sissy Wilks, counselor at the career center said. “We want students to see what employers want when they come out of high school and college. We want them to see what majors would be good for them to go into. We had several health care businesses represented here. A lot of our students job shadow at these places. We also had the various branches of the military represented and the area fire departments and law enforcement agencies.”
Wilks was pleased with the turnout at the 18th annual event.
“I think it’s beneficial to have everybody here in one place,” she said. “It was a great turnout, but we would love to see even more local businesses and industries here.”
Wilks said Debbie Brumfield and Kimberly Rawls assisted in hosting and organizing the event.
Rawls, the student services coordinator at the center, said she felt the event was beneficial to the students.
“This is a great way for students to connect with colleges and explore job opportunities,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for them to learn about their options before they look for a job or further their education.”
Marion County School District Superintendent Wendy Bracey said the experience is invaluable to students seeking direction after high school.
“I’m proud that our Marion County CTC creates such incredible opportunity for our students,” she said. “The college and career fair is an ingenious way to connect our students with both colleges and potential employers. I enjoyed watching the networking.”
Pictured Above: Columbia Fire Department Capt. Nathan Guy directs West Marion’s Trace McNabb in a physical test Thursday at the Columbia Expo Center. | Photo by Mark Rogers
