06/06/2026
Career Exploration Fair at Midd-West Middle School
By Kay Poeth
Excitement filled the air as students in grades 5-8 at Midd-West School District participated in the Career Exploration Fair. Seventy-four exhibitors attended the event including a range of career opportunities from military to manufacturing, authors to occupational therapy animals. Students rotated from station to station, investigating all the seemly endless choices.
“My vision for the Career Exploration Fair was to expose, students to the countless options of careers and opportunities available to them in their future,” stated Tarri Rapp, middle school counselor, “Including parents and professionals from our community in the fair encourages students to be more aware of many local businesses and organizations they never knew existed.”
Students from all Midd-West schools participated in the fair which linked fifth graders from West Snyder and Middleburg Elementary, eighth graders from Midd-West High, and the entire middle school. The opportunity to participate in hands-on learning with seventy-four exhibitors allowed our students academic engagement and enjoyable experiences they do not get every day in a classroom setting.
For the 5th graders, the goal was exposure to a variety of careers and a chance to interact with professionals. In addition to the experience, 6th and 7th graders also had a list of questions to help guide their interaction with exhibitors. They were encouraged to ask questions about the jobs such as why they may have chosen this particular occupation and their favorite/least favorite aspects. Later, the middle school students chose two careers they enjoyed the most. They wrote a paragraph about each of their top choices, typed it as Word document, and uploaded it into their Career Portfolio.
“Career day is one of my favorite days of the school year. I enjoy seeing former students who volunteer their time to share their careers and inspire our students,” said Middle School teacher, Mrs. Andrea Teats. “The day allows students an opportunity to see many different job opportunities. It allows students to start to have conversations about what their future may start to look like.”
PA Army National Guard trucks, fire apparatus, big rigs, and farm equipment loomed in the front of the building as students climbed into truck rigs with JJ Transport, sat on tractors with Hilly Ridge Sales & Service, and chatted with exhibitors from Midd-West HVAC/Maintenance, local fire companies and more. In the back parking lot, students investigated five different exhibits including greenhouse management, vet sciences, leadership development, ag mechanics, and farriers, hosted by Midd-West High School FFA. Local veterinarian, Karli Arbogast-Hunter, of Rocket Equine, shared requirements to enter this career with students.
Promise Ranch and Spring Ridge Stables brought horses and ponies used as therapy animals along with Johni Kreider from Avery’s Treehouse who works with the horses at the stables to assist special needs students. Jonas Beiler, a stone mason, from JB Rocks, combined with Bricks & Stones Supply representative, Chad Rapp, showed students how math and geometry are used in their jobs of measuring and calculating areas for hardscapes and stone patios and steps.
Simply Bowls Café and Food Truck owner, Amsa Courtney, attended the fair to discuss business ownership and her role as an entrepreneur. She answered many questions in hopes to inspire students to work toward their goals and follow their dreams.
“I love how the U.S Air Force recruiter (Leslie Read) explained the different benefits and how you get paid for training,” said Katie Ruby.
“There are so many interactive things to do, touch, hold, feel, and climb on,” said Cole Tilkens enthusiastically as he clambered on a tractor with a loader and backhoe. In addition to the small tractors, Chad Brion of Hilly Ridge Sales & Service had a table filled with hand-held units like leaf blowers and chain saws.
“Whatever they ask, we answer. We try to teach them about some of the gear,” added Cody Try of Reliance Hose Company #1. Josh Ewing of Beaver Springs Fire/Rescue was pleased with the new law about no hand-held devices (cell phones) in use while the car is engaged. He also talked about the option of being a Junior Firefighter which is important to continue growth of firefighting services in rural communities.
JJ. Transport brought a Peterbilt 386. Jamie Stoltzfus chuckled. “It was wildly interesting. They asked our favorite and least favorite part of our job. When they learned they could sit in the truck, their eyes lit up and they got big smiles on their faces. The kids quickly climbed into the truck, blew the air horn, and eagerly checked out the bunk area!”
The gymnasium was another thrilling location to investigate an array of occupational possibilities. PA Magisterial Judge Bo Trawitz spoke with many interested groups. Other law enforcement showcased the Sheriff’s Office, PA State Police, Federal Prison Bureaus. The PA Game Commission contained a table filled with fur pelts for the students to touch and identify.
Jarrett Erb of Cam Shaffer Carpentry assisted students as they put on their goggles and pounded nails into a board. At Susquehanna Stem to Skies, students were intrigued with the aviation demos, maps, and model aircraft. Rusty Rail offered a taste test and talk about culinary school. There were banks, colleges, and more. Students plopped down eager to pet the therapy dogs and learn about their training. Author Raena Rood had a display of her books, while photographer, Rochelle Tice of Blue Line Photography, had a stunning display of photos. Her business began as a hobby and then exploded into a career. Abby Wagner of Ideal Image Salon & Spa explained to some girls how to curl hair with either a soft curl or porcelain-doll look. “My favorite part of my job is that I get to make people feel pretty and give them more confidence when they leave.”
“We advised them that a Therapy Dog is different than an Emotional Support Dog or a Service Dog. A Therapy Dog can provide significant mental, physical, and social benefits by offering comfort, reducing stress, and improving emotional well-being. These dogs support patients in hospitals, schools, airports, prisons and care facilities by boosting moral, increasing motivation, and fostering social interaction,” explained Tracy Heimbach of Alliance of Therapy Dogs. The dogs are certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a national non-profit organization, that will test, certify, support, and provide liability insurance for their members.
“We shared with the students that although handling a therapy dog is a volunteer position it can most definitely be a part of the career that they may choose in the future. Many therapy dogs accompany their owners to jobs in schools, dental offices, veterinary offices, attorney offices, hair salons etc.,” added Heimbach.
Makayla Wood was impressed with all the hands-on activities. “Like the nursing station was cool. I want to be a vet and there are more options to see.” Nursing Instructor Amy Isaacs had several things to touch including a large heart display, fat chunk replica, and a stethoscope.
Moving to another area of the school, there was more to explore! The cafeteria was filled with students from SUN Area Technical School explaining what their programs offer and many had hands-on demonstrations. Cosmetology had several middle school students intently learning how to braid hair. Students examined tools and experimented with displays. Midd-West’s Work Study showcased their placements and learning for the year.
“As adults, we try to explain the importance of hard work and motivation to our young students, but the effect of high school students sharing actual Work Study experiences and SUN Tech students teaching hands-on skills and opportunities available during their senior year has the biggest impact to inspire younger students. It becomes real for them to see other students immersed in the opportunities adults have told them existed. In a few short years, they can now see themselves at SUN Tech or participating in the Work Study program at the high school,” Rapp explains.
“Being in 5th grade this year... there have been many changes. Getting to attend this career day event with students was a great opportunity to explore many options the kids have for their futures,” said Mrs. Stacey Hostetler from West Snyder Elementary School.
Tracy Heimbach of Susquehanna Trail Dog Training Club added, “The students at Midd-West Middle School have their whole future ahead of them. What a great function to introduce them to so many different career paths. We enjoyed sharing their day!”
“Not only did the students and staff have a shared positive experience and learning opportunity, but countless exhibitors also shared their accolades of congratulations on how impressed they were with the behavior, participation, and excellent engagement from our students! From asking inciteful, thoughtful questions to listening intently to explanations and information provided to them by the visiting career professionals, our Midd-West students represented themselves and the district very well,” noted Mrs. Rapp. The next Middle School Career Exploration Fair will be held in May 2027.If you have an interest in participating in the fair next year, please contact Tarri Rapp at [email protected] or 570-837-0046, ext. 3550.
Captions
Jarrett Erb of Cam Shaffer Carpentry assisted students as they put on their goggles and pounded nails into a board during the Career Exploration Fair at the Middle School.
Brett Middleswarth of Middleswarth Chip explained the process from potato-to-potato chip topped with a bag of this delicious local food manufactured product.
A popular program at SUN Tech is their Cosmetology Program where student learn to cut and style hair and polish nails.
