Grant County High School Students Explore Local Careers at Industry Showcase

PRESS RELEASE: Grant County High School Students Explore Local Careers at Industry Showcase

MARION, INDIANA, April 26, 2019–More than 200 Grant County students learned about local industries and the paths that lead to careers in those fields during an inaugural countywide Industry Showcase event Friday morning.

The 2019 Grant County Industry Showcase took place Friday, April 26th at Ivy Tech, Marion, and focused on the business services, healthcare, and manufacturing & logistics industries in the Grant County area. About 225 juniors and seniors from Eastbrook, Madison-Grant, Marion, Mississinewa and Oak Hill high schools attended the event.

Students taking part in the Industry Showcase had the opportunity to connect directly with employers and also learn about Ivy Tech’s educational programs that can prepare them for Grant County’s in-demand careers.

Joshua Floriana, an Eastbrook High School senior, said he enjoyed talking with employers. “I found it to be helpful,” said Floriana, who plans to pursue a career in metal fabricating or welding. “I learned about the opportunities available locally and about the qualifications for certain fields.”

The Industry Showcase is an initiative designed and implemented by the Grant County Comprehensive Counseling Coalition. The Coalition focuses on improving college & career readiness and social & emotional well-being for students in grades K-12. Coalition school partners include all five Grant County school districts — Eastbrook, Madison-Grant, Marion, Mississinewa and Oak Hill – and community partners including Project Leadership, Family Service Society, Marion-Grant County Chamber of Commerce and the Grant County Economic Growth Council. Ivy Tech Community College hosted the Industry Showcase.

Employers taking part in the Showcase included: Walmart Distribution Center # 7055, American Woodmark, Wiley Metal Fabrication, Marion General Hospital, Welch

Packaging, Double H Manufacturing, Via Credit Union, Heritage Pointe of Warren, Allstate- Taylor Family Insurance, Carey Services, Paddock View Residential Center, Afena Federal Credit Union, Quality Care Ambulance, Grant Blackford Mental Health, and Mutual Bank.

Barbara Thornell, employment relations manager in the human resources department at Marion General Hospital, said the Industry Showcase event helps students get information about what they can be doing now to prepare for a future career.

“They can learn about what is available in the medical field besides just doctors and nurses,” Thornell said. “And the students have been very engaged in learning about potential careers.”

Andy Delacruz, regional human resources manager with Welch Packaging, said he enjoyed seeing the students’ energy and drive.

“They know what they want and are learning the next steps to get there,” said Delacruz, who emphasized the importance of work ethic when pursuing a job. “We need good people, not just a degree. We need people who are willing to go above and beyond and strive for excellence.”

In advance of the Industry Showcase, students took part in Project Leadership-led workshops to learn about employment opportunities in Grant County and the industries featured at the Industry Showcase, and to prepare a resume that they used when meeting with employers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 
Nate McNeely, Marion Community Schools, 667-7875
Gwen Hodson, Madison-Grant United School Corp., 948-5132
Steve Gibson, Project Leadership, 651-0650
Victoria Herring, Grant-County Economic Growth Council, 662-0650 
Kylie Jackson, Marion-Grant County Chamber of Commerce, 664-5107