Another successful career fair  

The gymnasium of Kahnawake Survival School (KSS) was hustling and bustling this Thursday, as teens took to speaking with local employers and post-secondary schools about their offerings. 

Each student had to ask at least 10 questions to the invitees at the annual career fair – at least if they wanted a cookie at the end. Each was also entered into a raffle to win a pair of AirPods.

Grade eight student Shanerahtanó:ron Korry Goodleaf said he’s not so sure yet about what he’d like to do after graduating – but did say he sees a future in lacrosse. 

“Definitely not wrestling,” the minor lacrosse goalie joked, mentioning he’s gotten involved in the sport through KSS.

As for Kaylani Delormier, she said she has her eye set on a career as a local firefighter or paramedic.

“It’s saving lives,” the grade eight student said. “And I love the fire dog there.”

There were roughly 40 different guests at the career fair, which included more post-secondary colleges and universities from Ontario than ever, said Echo Hamelin, the school’s transitions counsellor. 

Grade 11 students enrolled in the high school’s work orientation training program got first dibs on networking with the guests, said Hamelin, who organized the fair. The program is aimed at preparing students for a career in the trades. Roughly 10 are enrolled in it, she said.

“They do a portion of their schooling in the morning here, and then in the afternoon they go to a work placement,” Hamelin said about the winter semester. “But for the first part of the year, they are preparing to go into those replacements.”

Local employees of organizations like the Caisse Populaire, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK), and the Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center (KOR) all came out for the day, many of them with printouts of their current job offerings. 

At the Caisse Populaire table, teens got the chance to spin a wheel and earn a prize. The transparent green piggy banks were highly sought after. 

“We are looking right now for tellers,” said Katie Diabo, an assistant to the manager there. “A lot of the employees at our branches are getting into retirement age.”

Anyone with a high school degree is eligible for their teller positions. The qualities they look for are “interpersonal skills, friendliness, and a knowledge of money,” Diabo said.  

For the Kahnawake Labour Office (KLO), it was their first time having a booth at the fair. In addition to advocating for the respect of labour rights in the community, they often refer job seekers to local employers in industries like carpentry and construction. They can also share guidance about training programs in the region. 

“It's a good way to earn a living and get into work right away, especially if you're into doing things in your hands,” said Rusty Jacobs, a certification and competency officer there.

One thing that made this year’s fair different from former years was that it was held in November instead of in February. Hamelin said the admissions period is held around then, and with it being “crunch time” at the time in the year, the administration decided it would be easier for staff to run it in the fall instead.

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