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| By Michelle Symington MetroWest Reminder Assistant Editor AGAWAM Agawam High School (AHS) and the Agawam Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to create an event that will benefit both students and local businesses. Next month, AHS and the Chamber will host the Agawam Chamber of Commerce/AHS Summer Job Search, which will bring local businesses searching for summer help to the high school for a job fair. "It is the perfect partnership," said Dee Ferrero, Agawam Chamber director. She explained that the Chamber has had an education chairman for a number of years who concentrated on the scholarship program. Ferraro said that program will continue, but the chamber was looking to do something to bring more of the Agawam Chamber businesses and the youth in the city together. Two months ago, an education committee, which includes chamber members, was formed and meets every second Thursday at AHS. The committee is currently working on the job fair project, which it hopes will expand, and other projects, according to Ferrero. Ferrero said that finding a summer job or a part-time job will allow students to explore different career opportunities. She said that a 17-or 18-year-old may be interested in home design and may decide that is what they want to do and later find out they do not like the job when it is too late. "This way it gives students and opportunity to see what they think they are interested in at this point," she said, adding that they have time to change their mind if they do not like the field they originally chose. Ferrero said the chamber is receiving "very good feedback" and she is hoping the job fair will become an annual event. The Chamber has been working on the job fair project with Debra Hunter, Career Center director at Agawam High School, who said this is the first job fair that will take place at Agawam High School. "There is a need we see that needs to be filled," she said. She said she and the Chamber have been trying to find ways to bring the world of business and students together on "safe turf" and a lunch period at the high school seemed to be the perfect place. She explained that tables will be set up for the businesses and the fair will allow students a chance to fill out applications. "I am hoping for one-minute interviews," she added. Hunter said that she tries to find students who seek employment opportunities throughout the year. "I have had a lot of students come here looking for work since the day I started," she said, adding that there is an active job board posted outside of the Center. She added that she has students fill out student profiles, which she faxes to businesses seeking to hire someone. "It is wonderful because the business looks it over and decides if they want [the student] to come in [for an interview]," she said. She added that it could save a business from meeting with 10 kids who are not qualified. "They can handpick for interviews," Hunter said. Hunter said that she plans to help prepare the students for the job fair and possible on-the-spot interviews before the event. As part of the career exploration class offered at the high school, Hunter said she will work with students on resums, first impressions and manners. She also plans to host an afterschool workshop for students who are not in the class. She said it will probably be a 30-minute workshop to help students learn how to be ready to meet with the businesses. "I love the fact of bringing together the two environments the business world and high school," she said. Denise Moffatt, a member of the Agawam Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said that the job fair will allow businesses to reach out to students in the community so that students can get involved with the businesses prior to graduation. "I hope this will be very successful," Moffatt said. "It will be great for the businesses and the students. The students won't have to truck all over town to look for a job." Hunter said there are already businesses that have signed on and she is trying to generate more interest and attract more businesses to the job fair. Businesses can be members of the Agawam Chamber or Chambers in surrounding communities. Free space for the businesses will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Businesses interested in participating should contact Debra Hunter at 786-0861. |