WUHS Job Fair

Wayland Union High School hosted a job fair for their current 10th through 12th grade students on April 30th, 2025. The goal was to help students form connections with local businesses. This project was led by High School Guidance Counselor, Kasey Peters, and the High School Guidance Department.

Through continued learning regarding the regional and national workforce, Kasey Peters learned that there are fewer job seekers available for every job opening, regardless of education and/or experience required. There is a deficit of available workers. After talking to local businesses, it became apparent that this trend is very relevant in our own region. Mrs. Peters explained that this event was "simply an attempt to help students and employers make connections. This is oftentimes the largest hurdle for our students - they don’t know what they don’t know, they need someone to help initiate and forge those connections.”

Kasey Peters and Wayland Union Schools Superintendent, Tim Reeves, reached out to the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce, the Dorr Business Association, and AAESA (Allegan Area Educational Service Agency) work-based learning site placements to form these local partnerships. We had over 30 businesses attend our job fair, covering each of the following six Michigan Career Zones: Arts and Communications, Business, Management, Marketing and Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing and Industrial Technology, Health Science, Human Services, and Natural Resources and Agriscience.

Our business attendees ranged in motivation, with some seeking summer or temporary employees, some seeking to hire students for long-term careers, and others simply looking to promote their field. All participating businesses were encouraged to bring any related materials, such as a one-page flyer, industry props/materials, and job applications.

During the career fair, students came prepared with a resume in hand. They then had the opportunity to visit each booth, speak with local employers, and build connections to help boost their career goals. This event was open to all WUHS students who are currently in 10th through 12th grade.

Kasey Peters emphasized “the overarching goal is to develop and maintain relationships between WUHS and local employers, which will allow for mutually productive outcomes for both our students and our community, fostering career education and meeting the needs of our local industries.”