Sophomores to explore Martin County careers at Area Career Exploration fair in April

Local high school sophomores will mix business and fun at the Area Career Exploration Day at Fairmont Area Jr./Sr. High School on April 9. Students from all area high schools attend the event, which combines a career fair with a game show and series of panelists sharing more about their pathway into a local career. The annual event is a partnership between the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, area businesses, educational entities, the Minnesota Valley Action Council, CareerForce, and Fairmont Area Schools. 

Martin County Economic Development Authority, South Central Workforce Council, and Fairmont Economic Development, Fairmont CER and Visit Fairmont also participate on the organizing committee. 

Game show kicks-off event with fun

To launch the event, each school nominates one representative to compete in a game show. Questions are topical and can cover careers, the labor market, and other related topics. Judges tally the score and whichever school answers the most questions correctly wins a trophy and bragging rights. The panelist portion of the event runs simultaneously with the game show as questions alternate with panelists sharing their professional background and a tip to help students plan for the future and see the opportunities available in Martin County.

Panelists offer insights into local opportunities

Tammie Hested, Family Resource Coordinator at Minnesota Valley Action Council, said the panelists are chosen carefully, with consideration given to the number of students a panelist’s story may impact. Students should see a journey they can relate to and a variety of careers and people represented. This year’s panelists include workers in the trades, people with four-year degrees, a physical therapist, an engineer, a human resources worker, a deputy, a local editor, a welder, independent business owners, and more. Students will take home a printout highlighting each panelist and featuring their insights to help document their learnings.

A full list of 2025 panelists appears below.

Career fair floor provides business interactions, insights

After orientation through the game show and panel discussion, students explore a selection of career booths sponsored by local businesses and educational institutions. Prior to the event, the sophomore students complete a career assessment and have an idea of fields to explore in detail. Businesses are organized based on the career wheel and have representatives who can share details on how they entered their role, the education level required for a job, and other information specific to the career. Hested notes interactive elements are common at booths, and many businesses feature games, hand-outs, and other materials to engage students at the event.

For the sophomores, this information provides valuable guidance as they complete high school and plan for success in higher education and the workforce. Many students have already chosen a school or a potential career by their junior or senior year. Hested notes reaching students while they are still considering the future is ideal, and tenth grade provides the best opportunity to introduce new careers and demonstrate what is available in Fairmont.

“It helps students understand the different careers that are available, and especially different careers available here in our community,” Hested said. “The reality is we would love for the young ones to go to college, get their degree, and then come back. This is what the panel is – people who have gone and done other things and are now back in our community and working and buying homes.”

2025 ACE Panel Members

• Brooke Wohlrabe Tow, Editor, Fairmont Sentinel
• Blake Potthoff, Executive Director, Fairmont Opera House
• Brett Hested, Owner, Hested Hoops Basketball Training
• Logan Potthoff, Welding Lead and Quality Control, ZBM
• Taylor Nawrocki, Assistant VP Ag Business Banking, Profinium Bank
• Aaron Hendricks, Engineer, Easy Automation
• Whitney Phillip, Physical Therapist, Mayo Health Systems
• Kenlie Maday, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Easy Automation
• Luis Figeroa, Deputy, Martin County Sheriff’s Office
• Jacob Hartke, Owner, Triple H
• Karen Flores, Owner, Indulge & Co. Coffee Shop

Additional information about the Area Career Exploration Day can be found on the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce calendar. 

Interested in learning more about life in Fairmont? Visit Fairmont Economic Development’s website or contact us today!