NICC, ACED and education partners hold Career Workshop at Waukon High School for area high school students

Finding a rewarding and well-paying career in life starts with a plan and having opportunities to learn about different occupations firsthand from individuals who work in the field. This was the motivation for the third annual Career Workshop event at Waukon High School February 10, which was developed in partnership between Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) and Waukon High School.

Approximately 160 students from Waukon High School, Kee High School and Postville High School attended the event. The students selected two of six different sessions that represented the following career areas and speakers:
• Business/Finance/Marketing/Management presented by Denise Beyer, Allamakee County Auditor and Travis Gage, Assistant Manager at Waukon Fareway.
• Education/Human Services presented by Dave Herold, Allamakee Community School District Superintendent and Pat Heiderscheit, Keystone Area Education Agency Administrator.
• Health Sciences presented by Tara McMullen, Physical Therapist with RehabVisions and Linda Carstens, Dentist at Waukon Dental.
• STEM/Manufacturing/Construction presented by Mitch Duncklee, Software Engineer at Systems Equipment and Jennifer Peak, Pattison Sand Human Resources.
• Information Technology presented by Cameron Berges of Northeast Iowa Community College Computer Information Services, and from Veterans Memorial Hospital, Medical Transcriptionist Karen Cota, Registered Health Information Technologist (RHIT) Kathy Lloyd and Health Information Supervisor Tammy Jostand.
• Ag/Food/Natural Resources presented by Rylan Retallick, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Dr. Larry Moore, Veterinarian with Postville Vet Clinic.

Waukon High School Guidance Counselor Amy Wasson knows that students will benefit from learning more about meaningful, local careers. "The goal of the Career Workshop is to inform our students about opportunities right here in northeast Iowa. We hope students find a career path that they will enjoy and fulfill a need for our local employers," she said.

The Career Workshop event also provides a forum for local professionals to share what their jobs are like on a daily basis and to network with students, who represent the future workforce. "As an economic developer, I know there is need to provide opportunities for businesses and students to interact. This workshop offers students the opportunity to learn firsthand job descriptions, training requirements, benefit packages, salary ranges, special projects and a typical day on the job," said Valerie Reinke, Executive Director of Allamakee County Economic Development. "On the other hand, it gives employers an opportunity to reach out and share valuable information about the business and job opportunities in the area."

As a partner that helped to coordinate the Career Workshop, NICC knows that successful careers after graduation require a little homework and discussion with the experts. “The goal of the career workshop is to get our high school juniors and seniors to start thinking about career interests and highlight the great businesses we have in Allamakee County. Students connected with local employers, asked questions and learned about high demand jobs,” explained Erica Nosbisch, NICC Waukon Center Director.

High school students, parents and counselors who would like to learn more about academic programs available at NICC may visit www.nicc.edu/academics or contact Erica Nosbisch at the NICC Waukon Center at 563-568-3060 or nosbische@nicc.edu.