Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
RIVEROAK Technical College in Live Oak held its Eighth Annual Career Fair and Program Showcase at the school on Thursday, Feb. 13. It provided an opportunity for students to get a glimpse into some of the careers that are being offered in the Suwannee River Valley and elsewhere.
“We had over 70 community agencies, businesses, law enforcement and military branches,” said RIVEROAK Principal Mary Keen. “The main purpose is to get our community and students so they can see all the available occupations, careers and community agencies that can offer support for them and their families.” Keen also said that the event provided an opportunity for RIVEROAK to showcase its 20 post-secondary certificate programs.
During the event, which was open to the public, students were able to watch current RIVEROAK students learn their respective trades and, in some instances, were able to take part in some of the activities. In the masonry class, students were able to lay mortar on top of bricks. In the medical lab, students were able to watch RIVEROAK students pursuing a medical career perform open heart surgery on a mannequin in the surgical technology room.
Some of the organizations that participated in the career fair included law enforcement agencies such as the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Corrections. Representatives from the City of Live Oak, The City of Lake City, and the office of U.S. Congresswoman Kat Cammack were also present to help recruit young talent to their programs.
“Some of these programs, you can take for six months before completing the certificate,” Keen said. “Others take a year or two. But in the end, students who graduate from these programs go on to earn a high wage.”
Keen stated that the career fair has grown over the years, with the first event being held in 2017 and 40 agencies being represented. “We continue to grow, and we have huge support from our community,” she said.
