Upstate 'career fair' Oct. 21

Cherokee Technology Center students introduce Alma Elementary third graders to different trade programs. More than 1,000 students from Cherokee, Spartanburg and Union counties will meet Oct. 21 to participate in the Upstate's largest interactive career fair.

Career Quest '08 will be held from 4-8 p.m. in the Spartanburg Expo Center.

Spartanburg Community College has joined with area school districts to organize the event for middle and high school students and their parents. This is the third annual event for students in Cherokee, Union and Spartanburg counties.

"Students will be able to instantly identify their career preferences through a game called 'Deal a Card,'" said Dr. Dorse Cleveland, School to Work coordinator for the Cherokee County School District. "The student can then locate the career cluster that matches their preferences and speak oneon one with school counselors, college faculty and area professionals."

State law requires high schools to group their academic programs into 16 career clusters identified by the Education Economic Development Act. Each career cluster will be represented at this year's Career Quest.

Last year's event drew 70 vendors and 1,100 people to the career fair, according to Cleveland. More than $2,500 in door prizes were given away including a laptop, an iPod, $500 in tuition assistance from Spartanburg Community College and the use of a BMW for the weekend.

Local businesses participating in this year's career fair include Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, Nestle Frozen Food Company, Timken Company, Cherokee County Council and Kings Mountain National Military Park.

"There will be a general information area with staff that can answer questions from students about financial aid and other college options," Cleveland said. "Last year's event was an overwhelming success. We hope students will come out and attend this year's event to learn more about different careers."