Staff photo by Fritz Busch Sleepy Eye High School student Michael Pool, right, puts on firefighting turn-out gear with help from New Ulm Firefighter Ben Schrupp at the New Ulm Area Career Expo at the New Ulm Civic Center Wednesday.

NEW ULM — Nearly 800 New Ulm area sophomore and 8th-grade students got a close look at the local job world at the New Ulm Area Career Expo at the New Ulm Civic Center Wednesday.

Students engaged with exhibitor’s employees who answered questions about education, skills, wages, and opportunities.

Hands-on, interactive experiences included wearing up to 80 pounds of New Ulm Fire Department firefighting gear, putting on the New Ulm Police Department’s Drunk Busters Goggles that simulate impairment and fatigue, and operating a CAT heavy equipment simulator from Mathiowetz Construction.

Sleepy Eye sophomore Michael Pool put on firefighting personal protective equipment including a large helmet. Firefighting clothing weights about 50 pounds. Adding an oxygen tank and some other gear adds about 30 pounds.

“I just thought it was pretty cool that I could try on the (firefighting) stuff,” said Pool. He said he was also impressed with healthcare and banking exhibitors at the expo.

“I’m a lifeguard now. I think it’s cool to be able to go out and help people,” said Pool.

New Ulm firefighter Ben Schrupp said more firefighters are needed so recruiting continues.

“We hope firefighters stay with us for about 20 years. That’s when they can retire,” he said.

Schrupp, who works as a national food company sales rep, talked about how he became a firefighter here.

“I never wanted to be a firefighter until I got married and moved to New Ulm in 2017,” he said. “My buddy was a firefighter here. I met some of the firefighters here and thought this is a good group of people. I was always interested in community service, so I applied and was accepted.”

Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School students Tay Bruender, Adleigh Nelson and Ruby Lindstrom visited the New Ulm Police Department table and put on Drunk Busters Goggles that simulate impairment effects from various blood alcohol concentrations, cannabis, LSD, other illegal drugs, lack of sleep and fatigue.

Bruender said she was impressed with medical exhibitors.

“I’m interested in microbiotics and other medical stuff,” she said.

Nelson said she was interested in biology and the medical field.

“It was fun to learn about the job options in this area,” she said.

Lindstrom said she is also interested in biology.

“I enjoyed learning about opportunities I could have with the National Guard, even beginning next year,” she said.

She talked about the Drunk Busters Goggles.

“My head is still spinning. I put on the ones that simulate the highest blood alcohol concentration. They were very effective. I won’t be drinking and driving,” said Lindstrom.

Mathiowetz Construction Project Supervisor Randy Shoen said heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, surveyors, mechanics, engineers and other positions need to be filled.

“I didn’t go to college for this job. I worked my way up. You can make a good living in trades,” said Schoen.

Mathiowetz Construction Supervisor Brian Krzmarzick helped Hunter Bejarano operate CAT simulator with controls for operation of a dozer, excavator or loader.

On the other side of the New Ulm Civic Center, game show and storytelling included Amanda Wendinger, Eric Warmka and Andrew Christensen.

“Fitness was always my passion. I went to Minnesota State University, Mankato and became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. I train students before and after school,” said Wendinger, who now operates Alliance Training Center in the former Alliance Bank building in downtown New Ulm.

Warmka said he met a funeral director who helped him get into the business in his younger days.

“Meeting people with business connections can change your life in a big way,” he said. “Keep your eyes open, keep meeting people and networking. Never give up.”

Up All Night DJ Andrew Christensen had advice for students.

“Be mindful of who you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with people you want to be,” he said. “Remember anyone can see what you post on social media.”

New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sarah Warmka said the career expo included all New Ulm schools plus a number of area schools including Sleepy Eye and Springfield schools.

“We had a great turnout. We love being in the New Ulm Civic Center,” she said. “New Ulm Park and Recreation waived the rental fee to use the space. It’s amazing because it’s such a great facility for this. There are so many careers available here. Hopefully, students are learning a lot about them.”