Written by: Jesse Gaudette, BFA Fairfax Flexible Pathways Coordinator
On March 20, 2024, BFA Fairfax High School hosted a Career Day and Job Fair for the students and community members. Over 35 community members arrived in the morning to speak to the 9-12th grade students in small groups. For the past two school years, the high school staff and students have been using a College and Career Readiness tool called Naviance. The program surveys the students on their interests and future plans. Using this data and a brief survey the students completed, the students were placed in groups based on their Career Interests.
Each group, or Career Cluster, had outside businesses and community members speaking about their business and their specific Career Pathway.
The second half of the event was a Job Fair in the High School gym. About 30 different companies were present to share current job openings and future opportunities for the students. Some companies were there sharing their model and offering students information, while others were actively recruiting student workers for summer internships, jobs, and career exploration opportunities.
The event was organized by Jesse Gaudette, Flexible Pathways Coordinator for BFA Fairfax, with the help and support of the entire BFA Fairfax faculty and staff. The school is looking forward to continuing the Career Day event each year. It provides a great opportunity for students to explore Career opportunities and to explore their after-high school plans.
Devon McGarry, with Husky Technologies, shares a summer Internship possibility with a BFA Student.
Career Clusters and Career Day Match Up
Every job falls within a career cluster. Jobs within a cluster have a similar knowledge or set skills needed to perform that type of job. Below are the 16 Career Clusters...
(See below for a description of each community partner)
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Local Organization/Business | Description |
Stantec | We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. |
Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, Inc. | Non-profit human services agency serving people of all ages and backgrounds in Franklin County. This is Franklin County's designated Community Mental Health Agency, and is located in St.Albans. |
Dynapower | a leading energy storage and power conversion manufacturer located in Vermont. We’re a trusted leader in all types of power conversion and energy storage. Our products energize and strengthen vital industries such as hydrogen, e-mobility, energy storage, mining, metal finishing and defense, all while helping to shape a shared vision of a clean energy future. |
NOTCH, Northern Tier Center for Health | Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH) is a mission driven primary care practice with a focus on quality and continuity of care. We are a not-for-profit corporation governed by a community-based Board of Directors whose mission is to provide high-quality care in Northwestern Vermont. |
Town of Fairfax, VT | |
Genuine Foods | We’re a quality-focused food service company that shuns packaged, processed and frozen ‘food’ in favor of scratch-made, wholesome, culturally relevant meals created with fresh, vibrant seasonal ingredients. You’ll find us in K-12 schools, higher education, senior and hospital facilities and communities, and regardless of whom we’re serving, we do it with an honest promise: With us, you’ll get real food, created by a people-centric team, with a second helping of reliability and integrity. |
Department of Corrections | In partnership with the community, we support safe communities by providing leadership in crime prevention, repairing the harm done, addressing the needs of crime victims, ensuring offender accountability for criminal acts, and managing the risk posed by offenders. |
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE | The U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation: 160 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. |
Patricia Bakir, Independent Consultant in International Development | Hamed and Patricia Bakir have worked for a variety of world organizations and nonprofitsE including, the World Health Organization and the United Nations. They are passionate about International work and would love to share their experiences with students. |
Agilent Technologies | Agilent supports scientists in 110 countries in cutting-edge life science research; patient diagnostics; and testing required to ensure the safety of water, food and pharmaceuticals. Our advanced instruments, software, consumables, and services enable our customers to produce the most accurate and reliable results as well as optimal scientific, economic, and operational outcomes. |
Universal Technical Institute | Graduating from a school with a quality reputation is important. UTI is the leading provider of training for students preparing for careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, CNC machining and welding technicians. More than 220,000 students have graduated from UTI during our 55-year history. Our reputation is built on the quality of our training and instructors, our industry relationships as well as the success that UTI graduates experience in their careers. |
Northwestern Medical Center | Northwestern Medical Center has many unique aspects that make it a truly special organization where you can expect to receive quality care in a healing environment. Our staff is committed to going to great lengths to provide you with exceptional medical care, you are entrusting your care into our hands and we are honored to hold that responsibility. |
Vermont Works for Women | Vermont Works for Women is a non-profit organization that focuses on supporting women in career fields typically underrepresented by women, such as trade fields and STEM Fields. Vermont Works for Women is working to create an equitable Vermont where people of all identities and backgrounds have equal access to opportunities and to thrive economically. From career exploration programs for middle and high school girls and gender-expansive youth to job training and career coaching for women to gender equity consultation for businesses and schools. |
LSF Forest Products, LLC | Laughing Stock Farm (LSF) was founded in 1979 when Terry and Mary Lynn Riggs moved to Fletcher from Jericho, VT and began raising sheep, horses and other livestock. LSF Forest Products, LLC was started in 2003 as a father-son partnership between Terry and Tucker. For more than 15 years, LSF has provided high quality, handcrafted lumber to contractors, homeowners, and hobbyists across Northern Vermont. |
Fairfax Rescue | Fairfax Rescue is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit corporation providing pre-hospital Emergency Medical Care and transport at the Advanced Life Support Level for the communities we serve. We provide primary coverage for the towns of Fairfax , Fletcher, and Westford. Through various mutual aid agreements we provide backup coverage to the towns of Westford, Cambridge, Essex, Milton, Georgia and St Albans. |
Westaff | Serving the staffing industry since 1948, Westaff matches talent with opportunity. Whether you’re a job seeker looking for work or a business with recruiting needs, we’ve got you covered. At Westaff, we understand what it takes to help people get a great job that matches their interests and career goals. We know how to recruit top performers for our clients that will minimize workforce costs and protect their bottom lines. It is through our industry-leading expertise in on-site programs, risk management, human resources, and employment law that we are able to do all of this. As a leader of staffing services, we provide our clients and associates with the most up-to-date technology and practices. We are the first to offer video resume technology, a service that benefits both our job seekers and clients by allowing a shorter interview process and allowing candidates to stand out among the competition. |
Luke Tallman, Paramedic | Mr. Tallman began his career as a Paramedic at Colchester Rescue Service in 2009. During his time there he provided medical care to the residents of Colchester and surrounding communities. In addition, Luke served as the station’s Engineer and one of the primary educators for EMTs. Luke was educated through a Paramedic program offered through the University of Vermont and was one of the first graduates.His first role in Emergency Medicine was at the age of 16 with Vergennes Rescue. |
Loving Home Care | Loving Home Care, LLC is a home health care agency based in Chittenden County, Vermont. The company is registered as a limited liability company in Vermont and caters to individuals, families, and healthcare facilities seeking assistance through local home care. Our service model is based on responsive care tailored to the specific needs of our clients. We offer a range of services to help the elderly and other individuals with chronic diseases and disabilities to maintain a comfortable lifestyle (as defined by our clients) despite their age or health status. The founder, Mr. Abijah Manga has no interest in establishing another home care agency. After serving as his father's primary caregiver, he promised to do whatever he could to help other elderly obtain premier home care services tailored to their needs. |
Barry Callebaut | Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Barry Callebaut Group is the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, mastering every step in the value chain from the sourcing of raw materials to the production of the finest chocolates. We are the heart and engine for the chocolate industry and our mission is to be number one in all attractive customer segments. We are a business-to-business company, fully vertically integrated with a strong position in cocoa-origin countries and a unique global footprint. |
Hayward Tyler, Inc. | Hayward Tyler pumps and motors can be found in the most demanding environments of the energy sector. With over 2,300 BCPs and more than 600 nuclear pumps installed in power plants across the globe, we deliver precision performance and long-term reliability. |
Rep. Ashley Bartley, VT House of Rep. | ASHLEY BARTLEY is a lifelong Vermonter. She grew up in Charlotte, graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School and earned her BS in political science and economics from the University of Vermont. Upon graduation, Ashley began her career as a Human Resources professional. She has dedicated herself to the communities she serves and currently serves on the Franklin County Home Health Agency’s Board of Directors, as well as serving as the secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Fairfax Community Library. Ashley lives with her husband, small children and her dog, Duke, in Fairfax. When not serving her community or working, she can be found in her kitchen, cooking with her family. Member of the House of Representatives: 2023–present |
Julie Hulburd, Commissioner Vermont Cannabis Board | Julie Hulburd has 20 years of experience in human resources serving private, nonprofit and public organizations, including 12 years in municipal government. In her last municipal government role, Julie worked closely with leadership on the city’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Hulburd was appointed to the State Ethics Commission in 2018 and has served as its chair since 2019. She has also served as a member of her local parks and recreation advisory board, a justice of the peace and on the select board. Hulburd has a B.A. from Northern Vermont University-Johnson. She also holds a Professional in Human Resources Certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and is a Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resources Management. She is an active volunteer in her community. |
Hireability | HireAbility Vermont is an energized network of employment and job skills specialists, and counselors who are dedicated to breaking down the barriers that have traditionally kept good jobs out of reach of Vermonters with disabilities. For over a decade, we’ve made lasting professional connections between local employers with roles to fill and job seekers eager to lend their talents and expand their career paths. |
Heald Funeral Home | When you have experienced the loss of a loved one, you can trust Heald Funeral Home to guide you through the process of honoring their life. At Heald Funeral Home, we pride ourselves on serving families in Saint Albans and the surrounding areas with dignity, respect, and compassion. Our staff is experienced in a variety of funeral services and can help you celebrate your loved one no matter your religion, culture, or budget. |
Med Associates | Med Associates, Inc. is a leading manufacturer, software developer, and supplier of products for behavioral psychology, pharmacology, neuroscience, and related research and teaching areas. In business since 1971, we actively partner with key members of the research community on both the development of new products and the refinement of existing offerings. |