By Linda Stinnett

The entire Derby High School student body had the opportunity to visit colleges and learn about career options.

Choices 2012: A Career Exploration Experience was held for the first time at the school on Jan. 18. The gym became an exhibition hall, with over 50 colleges, trade schools, military, law enforcement organizations and other post-secondary training units recruiting at the event.

In addition, classrooms across the building were filled with career presenters who told the students what their typical work day is like. 

In the gym, Tyler Boor, DHS senior, was visiting with Trooper Gary Warner of the Kansas Highway Patrol. As Warner talked to Boor and sophomore Jon Gill, he told the two that in emergency situations – such as the Greensburg tornado – KHP troopers were among the first on the scene.

Boor was already interested in a law enforcement career, he said, and the aspect of helping a community added to his interest in the highway patrol. 

While the career fair was designed for the students, it was a good opportunity for the recruiters, too. The afternoon was divided into three sessions, with students rotating among presenters but required to visit the exhibitors at the gym during one session.

Lindsey Dreiling, admissions representative for K-State’s Salina campus, said that while the students could talk to many colleges at one time, she also was seeing more numbers than usual. As students by the hundreds walked by her booth and many stopped, she said a normal high school visit would find her only talking to a handful of students. 

“And, this is only the first session,” she said.