Flasher Flashes All Smiles @ Central Dakota Student Career Expo

This morning, I was honored to be a part of something special

"Good morning and welcome to the inaugural Central Dakota Student Career Expo!" - those were the first words I said this morning at around 8:3o inside the Bismarck Event Center. Those words were on a script I was handed as the announcer of this first-time event, and for the next 6 hours, I watched high school students locally and from as far as at least an hour away. One by one, the buses rolled in at different times, dropping off and picking up students who experienced hands-on learning and networking with professionals.

So many volunteers with bright orange shirts made sure that every student had enough time to take it all in, and there was a lot to see.

16 Career Clusters: Career Clusters are a roadmap to the world of work.

1. Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
2. Architecture & Construction
3. Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
4. Business Management & Administration
5. Education & Training
6. Finance
7. Government & Public Administration
8. Health Science
9. Hospitality & Tourism
10. Human Services
11. Information Technology
12. Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
13. Manufacturing
14. Marketing
15. Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
16. Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

( SEE ALSO: "HOW MANY CONES ARE IN THIS MANDAN "CONE ZONE" )

I really had a great time watching all the students come into a HUGE room with so many opportunities

Washburn, Beaulah, St.Mary's, Bismarck High, Glen Ullin, Century High, Wishek, Legacy, McClusky-Goodrich, Napoleon, New Salem-Almont, Kidder County, Flasher, Solen, Mandan, Wilton, Underwood, Hazen, Turtle-Lake Mercer, Shiloh Christian, Grant County, Center-Stanton - All of those schools came, and every one of those students, teachers, counselors, Asst Principals, and Principals were a real joy, and full of respect for others. Big-time thank you to Paige, Keith Schmaltz and the rest of the volunteers for making me feel so comfortable.

HUGE Thank you to the sponsors:

o North Dakota State College of Science

o Bismarck State College

o Northwest Contracting

o Job Service North Dakota

· o National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC)

o Missouri Slope

o Bobcat Company

o Bartlett & West

o ABRA Auto Body & Glass

o Metro Area Ambulance

o Butler Machinery

o Basin Electric Cooperative

o RDO Equipment

o Eide Automotive

My impressions of this day were all positive

I had no idea what I wanted to do when I got out of school. TODAY gave some ideas and hope to so many eager young lives. I loved watching the smiles from all ages.

A perfect day, I would say :)