We CARE About Your Future Event
As the world becomes increasingly dynamic and interconnected, the importance of making informed decisions about education, training, and employment has never been more evident. We, YCS and the entire community, CARE about your future. Exploring College, Career, Apprenticeship, Resources and Education Options are a crucial stepping stone toward shaping your professional journeys.
The event is held on the 2nd Wednesday in October from 5:00-7:00pm at Yelm High School and is an opportunity to ask key questions and help students and adults of all ages seeking personal paths in education, training, and employment. There will also be a K-5 STEM Event for our youngest students to learn and engage.
Navigating Education Options and Resources
We encourage you to explore various career options, interact with industry professionals and access resources that empower you to make informed decisions about your future. This event goes beyond being a mere career fair; it's an opportunity for individuals to understand the diverse pathways that await them after graduation and beyond. By engaging with representatives from different fields, you can gain insight into the skills, qualifications, and experiences required for success in various career pathways.

When seeking future education, training, and employment, consider this set of thoughtful questions to guide your interactions.
1. What skills are valued? Inquire about the skills that are highly valued in the industry. This insight can help you tailor your educational pursuits to match the demands of your chosen field.
2. Are there education and training requirements? Ask about the educational qualifications and training needed to excel in the chosen profession. This will help you plan what classes to take and activities to try to gain those valued skills.
3. What is the typical “Day in the Life”? Enquire about a typical day in the profession. Understanding the daily responsibilities can give you a realistic view of what the job entails.
4. Are there advancement opportunities? Seek information about potential career growth and advancement opportunities within the industry. Knowing the upward mobility prospects can influence your long-term goals.
5. Are there industry trends to consider? Inquire about current and projected trends in the industry. Staying informed about the evolving landscape and what continued education and training will help you adapt and be prepared for changes.
6. Can I access internship and research opportunities? Inquire about opportunities for internships, research projects, and hands-on experiences. These experiences can significantly enhance your qualifications over other candidates.
7. What support services are available? Seek information about the academic, career and personal support services available to you. These resources can play a crucial role in your personal and professional growth.
8. How do I access networking opportunities? Ask about networking events and connections with industry professionals. Networking can create pathways to internships, job opportunities, and mentorship.
9. What funding, financial aid and scholarships should I consider? Understanding the financial aspect of continuing education is crucial for your decision-making process. Seek information about ways to fund your education through financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Many employers provide training, scholarships, grants or reimbursement for education costs.
10. How do I apply for entry-level positions? Learn about entry-level positions and their significance as starting points in the field. This insight can guide your initial job search. Working part-time in the career field you are interested in helps you build skills as you pay for your education.
This event will be one way to start navigating what seems to be a complex terrain of future education, training, and employment opportunities. Armed with the right questions, you can extract invaluable insights from industry professionals, enabling you to make informed decisions that set you on a path to success. This annual event is not just a fair; it's an investment in your future. We CARE about your future!
Organizations Attending
- Behavioral Health Resources
- Bodymechanics School of Myotherapy & Massage
- Bonaventure of Lacey Senior Living
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Thurston County
- Career Center Ambassadors
- Centralia Beauty College
- Centralia College
- Clover Park Technical College
- Community Foundation of South Puget Sound
- Day of Champions - YCS Office of Student Support
- DigiPen Institute of Technology
- DSHS-DVR
- Eastern Washington University
- Elite Massage School
- ESD113 Early Learning (Yelm Head Start)
- FBLA
- Graham Auto Repair
- Grand Canyon University
- Great Wolf Lodge
- International Paper
- League of Women Voters of Thurston County
- Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging
- Nisqually River Foundation
- Northwest College of Art & Design
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Pacific Shellfish Institute
- Perry Technical Institute
- PLU Army ROTC
- Providence Medical Group
- Puget Sounds Energy
- Saint Martin's University
- Sea Mar CHC
- Seattle University / Cornish College of the Arts
- Senior Helpers
- South Puget Sound Community College
- South Sound Reading Foundation
- Thurston County Developmental Disabilities
- Thurston County Inclusion
- Thurston County Sheriff's Office
- U.S. Army and Army Reserve
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Washington
- University of Washington - Sustainable Bioresource Systems Engineering
- University of Washington Tacoma
- US Coast Guard
- UW Bothell
- Vadis
- WA Army National Guard
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Washington State University
- Washington Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee (WASIC)
- Western Washington University
- Weyerhaeuser
- YCS - Office of Student Support - LAP/Title
- YCS - Office of Student Support - SPED
- Yelm Community Schools Operations Dept
- Yelm FBLA and Yearbook
- Yelm FFA
- Yelm FFA Alum
- YHS Connects Booster Club
- YHS Health Sciences
