LIBERTY — An opportunity for junior and senior high school students from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties to explore education and career paths after graduation was offered by the Junior Achievement Inspire Career Fair Wednesday at Metroplex Expo Center.

“This is the first event since COVID,” said Michele Merkel, president of Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio.

A similar event took place in 2019 in conjunction with the Trumbull County Educational Service Center.

Students from 23 area schools attended seminars on Soft Skills in the Workplace while Katherine Tsilimos and James Broadbent of Ohio Means Jobs discussed the benefits and drawbacks of social media in job searches, clothing choices and potential interview questions.

Mathews High School juniors Katherine Rowan, Allie Ramsey and Alivia Tarr acquired valuable advice from attending the seminars.

“They told us about what skills employers are looking for and what you need to qualify for these jobs,” Katherine said. “They discussed what it would be like to be interviewed for a job.”

The presence of Youngstown State University, Westminster College and Thiel College at the fair gave teens a chance to learn more about the programs, majors and campus life if they decide to further their education.

“I think it is important to participate in this event so students are aware of what we offer at Westminster. It is only 25 minutes away from here,” said Thomas Maielli, admissions counselor for Ohio students.

Other exhibitors represented businesses offering trade schools such as Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture, Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Western Reserve and the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.

Kali Mechling, a junior at McDonald High School, said she is interested in cosmetology and took advantage of one-on-one time to talk to exhibitors in her chosen field.

Ben Torres of IEC Western Reserve discussed the electrician apprenticeship program with students. At each end of his booth, teens could try to replace a wire plug in a timed challenge for prizes.

PIA, which has a branch at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna, offers teens the opportunity to work on anything that flies. Niles McKinley High School seniors Alex Boyd and Julie Hall said they are interested in the aeronautics field.

The event provided ample choices of career paths and opportunities to discuss the different fields with someone working in those jobs.

“I think this was a good idea for the students to come to this event because it gave them exposure to different career paths. They do not have to have a degree, though it is highly encouraged. This shows that there are many options,” said James Dinh, educational aide at Potential Development, a school for students on the autism spectrum.

Jamill Franklin, a junior at Potential Development, agreed. He saw this event as an opportunity to explore his career options.

For students interested in protecting their communities, members of the Liberty Fire Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol represented first responders. The military was represented by members of the U.S. Army, United States Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force.

“I think it was important to be at this event so students know that you can serve your country without being full-time in the military. I want to spread the word about being in the reserves. You can do the job part-time and stay local,” said MSgt. Jorge L. Martinez, of the Youngstown Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service.

Attendees also became aware of employment availability for students still in high school or as they attend college.

“I have two part-time openings at the museum right now. They can work while going to school,” said Katie Seminara-DeToro, executive director at OH WOW! In downtown Youngstown.

The JA Inspire Career Fair offered a variety of education and job paths for students nearing the end of their high school years as well as encouraging a career path with handouts and the JA Inspire Career Exploration Guide, allowing attendees to examine future employment at their leisure with additional knowledge.