Industrial Career Expo Provides Alternative Choices for SHS Students

High school graduation is less than two months away and most seniors by now have some idea of what lies ahead. Some seniors have chosen college, without making a career choice just yet, counting on a year of liberal arts to figure it out.

Freshmen through juniors have a bit more time to get a jump on exploring options, however, and Southington High School’s third annual Career Expo Thursday night provided an opportunity for students to consider trade options as an alternative – and fulfilling – career path.

Students had the chance to meet with area companies specializing in technology areas such as construction, manufacturing, plumbing, masonry, ironwork, welding, landscape design and groundskeeping, in order to learn more about what the trade can offer.

"Not everyone has to go to college. I worked in manufacturing and made out fine. The point is to look at the options, at the many different choices available that will enable you to make a good living," said Southington State Rep. Bruce "Zeke" Zalaski.

Student volunteers from Project Lead The Way were on hand to direct curious students to business owners as students looked to gain answers to practical questions about training programs, apprenticeships and potential earnings in a variety of fields.

"A welder makes on average $17.61 to $18 per hour," Ben Weingarden, of Cianbro Corporation, told a group of students. A mobile training trailer equipped with welding stations was on-site for interested students to see where a three-month course is held.

"Carpentry is a skill [that] once learned is something you'll always have," said Melissa Sheffy of Network Interiors, Inc. "Another advantage of choosing trade occupation is that you begin earning money a lot quicker and are debt-free. The way it works is the more you learn in your trade, the more your earning potential." 

Additional resources the school makes available are a cooperative work program and job-shadow program, both of which can lead to long-term opportunities. Anthony Perone, a 2009 Southington High School graduate, is one of those success stories, as he was hired full time at Southington Tool & Manufacturing after participating in the job-shadowing program. 

Naugatuck Community College, Central Connecticut State University, and professional training resource company Construction Education Center were on hand and addressed questions about where to go for education in these fields. 

Freshmen Elizabeth George and Andrea Hoyt weighed in on the event.

"It's nice to know there are non-traditional work choices," said Hoyt. "What great opportunities! It's exciting to think about the future." 

“This is your time to explore the possibilities," Southington Economic Development Coordinator Louis Perillo told the students as they came through the expo. "Be passionate about what you do and you'll never work a day in your life."