College Fair 2022

College Fair features broad range of postsecondary options
Posted on 11/01/2022
Cayla Cotner and Alexis Easton.

Poplar Bluff High School hosted its annual College Fair for upperclassmen on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the auxiliary gym. The event featured 50 representatives, including several first-timers and a dozen postsecondary paths besides college such as military, and career and technical education institutions.

“We have a good assortment of universities, military and technical career centers so students get to see options that hopefully will spark something,” commented PBHS counselor Sara Woodard, event organizer. “We literally have the gamut, from Ole Miss to Elite Trucking [Academy], and everything in between geographically and academically.”

Parker Hicks, a junior, said he has “too many interests” to narrow down his career trajectory at this time, but the event serves as good exposure for students in terms of exploring campus communities. Parker and his classmate Cameron Settle joked about how they were able to “sneak into” the 2021 event.

“I found what I wanted to do in life at the College Fair last year,” said Cameron, explaining how he decided he would like to pursue a forensic science degree and is looking at universities with related programs. The duo was busy obtaining information from officials with Missouri Baptist University out of Creve Coeur.

Candy Taylor, vocational resource educator of the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center, reported mid-event that students seemed to be largely interested in cosmetology and esthetician programs since licensure can be obtained in one year. She added that computer science also seems to be popular among high schoolers, and automotive technology would be a wise choice since industry officials are actively seeking workers right now.

“They’re all great programs,” Taylor noted. “Of course, it’s more lucrative to come as a high school student and graduate debt-free, but some are in sports or JROTC and don’t have an option but to come as an adult, which is fine too.”

The College Fair is hosted in collaboration with the Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling. The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development also had a booth to field questions at this year's event.

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Cutline: PBHS students (right to left) Alexis Easton and Cayla Cotner visit a representative from Murray State University out of Kentucky.

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