Granite Hills High School recently hosted its 4th annual College & Career Fair – an event where students can have access to resources usually available after graduating high school.
Some of these resources include business partners, trade and technical schools, and colleges. The event was open to all Granite Hills students during lunch at the top of the pyramid on campus.
Granite Hills hosted 43 vendors at the College & Career Fair, where students were able to network with businesses ranging from local businesses right here in Porterville, such as Porterville BootBarn, Oacy’s Technology, Family Crisis Center, and Expanded Learning, to name a few.
Students got a chance to see local baristas and barbers in their craft. The Human Bean came out to support serving students beverages during this event. Gentlemen’s Barbershop here in Porterville came out to give haircuts, where aspiring barbers got a new perspective of what the trade is all about.
Not only did Granite Hills have the pleasure of hosting multiple businesses, colleges, and technical schools, but every branch of the military came out in support of this event. The Porterville Fire Department, Sheriff, and Police Department participated as part of the public safety and law enforcement careers.
Granite Hills College & Career Fair is one of the most anticipated events that occurs on campus every year, especially for our senior class. Seniors are able to access an abundance of resources in accordance with planning ahead for their futures.
Porterville Barber and ex- firefighter Giovanni Jacobo, located at Gentlemen’s Barbershop, was a part of this event, volunteering to give students haircuts. The young barber has been cutting hair for roughly three years.
“This is a job and career where you can really express yourself,” he said. “I consider myself an artist. It doesn’t even feel like work because I enjoy what I do.”
Expanded Learning Personal Liaison Ingrid Aispuro came out to the College & Career Fair to give Granite Hills students resources to join the performing arts team at Expanded Learning.
Aispuro is in charge of Expanded Learning programs like performing Arts and sports. Aispuro also leads the hiring process.
“I support with hiring process for our tutors, performing arts, and sports coaches serving all 14 school sites in Porterville Unified School District,” she said.
Porterville Boot Barn Store Manager Daniel Tapia stepped onto campus not only to talk to students about his business, but he also conducted interviews during his time on campus. For any students on campus who are graduating soon interested in working at Boot Barn, Daniel Tapia is the man they’re looking for.
“Boot Barn is looking for an individual who is collaborative, community- based, confident, and honest for our store,” he said.
Every vendor and business that came out in support of Granite Hills is deeply appreciated by students, staff, and faculty. Granite Hills ACE Pathway students and staff worked hard to organize this event so students have the resources they need after they graduate.
Law, Justice, and Ethics Pathway senior Jackie Gomez is one student who was able to create connections and benefit from this event. During last year’s College & Career Fair, she found herself being placed in a head coach position through the City of Porterville.
“They were offering volunteering positions for Junior Giants, and I was offered to be the head coach of the Junior Giants softball team,” Gomez said. “Then I asked for more volunteering opportunities, and ended up getting hired on. I basically get paid as a regular employee.”
Granite Hills College & Career Fair is one of those events that can change a student’s perspective about life after high school, with endless options for careers.
Granite Hills Principal Mr. Bowker said the College & Career fair was a success on campus.
“It’s a great opportunity for our community, a mutually beneficial experience for students to be exposed to what opportunities and business partners are out there … The idea is that students will be able to establish networking connections,” Mr. Bowker said.
