Staff photos by Gage Cureton Andrew Kolb, head coach for New Ulm Steel hockey, spoke to middle school students about his experiences coaching. The middle school held a career fair Friday where students had the chance to learn about a variety of occupations from 48 working professionals.

NEW ULM — Students at New Ulm Middle School had the chance to listen to a variety of individuals speak about their careers at the school’s career fair Friday.

From lawyers to bankers to bakers, 48 working professionals from New Ulm and the surrounding area spoke to students about their careers and what they experience in their everyday lives. Students listened to career presenters and asked questions to get an idea of what they may experience every day on the job.

“I hope it just makes them aware of the positions that are out there,” fifth and sixth-grade math teacher Tammy Yackley said. “It’s to open up some doors for them to kind of get some ideas.”

Yackley said the career fair is part of the middle school’s advisory program. The advisory program has students work close with an advisor who guides their learning experience and future career interests.

“That’s kind of our goal,” Yackley said. “To throw some seeds into their head to start growing.”

Prior to the career fair, students took a career aptitude test to get an idea of how their everyday interests tie into a certain career field. Depending on their answers, students were suggested career fields that might best suit their goals or interests.

The test contained a variety of career fields ranging from healthcare, public service, engineering and technology.

Students then chose three career presentations to attend during the fair. The list contained 40 different careers to choose from.

Yackley said the school reached out to a variety of businesses and professions in the area. The goal was to provide a diverse field of careers for students to choose from. The wide-array of choices for students also presented the opportunity for them to attend presentations of careers they have little knowledge of, and decide it might not be for them.

“They might listen to that, and then think they may not want to do it,” Yackley said. “It’s to open up some doors for them to kind of get some ideas.”

Yackley said the career fair is a huge benefit for eighth-graders because they’ll be moving on to high school next school year where they’ll expand on future career interests.

This is the second year New Ulm Middle School held it’s career fair. School officials and teachers hope to offer the career fair every year.

For information on the career aptitude test students completed, visit www.yourfreecareertest.com.

gcureton@nujournal.com