The City of Portage la Prairie's Career Expo saw a large turnout of students yesterday at PCI. Grade 11 student Tobias Trandafir shares the options that caught his eye the most, and how to work toward them.

Tobias Trandafir"RCMP I think. What do you have to do after high school. How to get involved and collected information about how to start there. Border patrol, too. Lots of different options for law enforcement. It's very involved. You need to be involved in the community, and the city and lots of different stuff. I still have a year to think about it. So, I'm just keeping those in the back of my mind."

Canadian Forces Master Bombardier Shaston Beaumont-Smith presented students with the option of a military career.

Master Bombardier Shaston Beaumont-Smith"I'm the full-time recruiter for all of western Manitoba. So, we're here today just to let the high school students know about the part-time opportunities here in Portage. Interest has actually been really good. It's been a good crowd through the day. Lots of grade 11 and grade 10 students are interested. It's surprising how many don't even know that we have a reserve unit here in Portage, and they can work part-time throughout the academic year with us, and then full-time throughout he summer with us."

Southport's Lighthouse Christian School head supervisor Iris Blume says their students came with far less awareness than with what they left.

Iris Blume"When they come to these things, they have no idea what they're coming to. They have no idea what it means to inquire after other careers. Once they get going, though, and once people start describing things, then it just opens up a whole avenue of information they didn't even know was out there. So, to be informed about everything, it really broadens their thought process when they're looking at their future."

Judy AndersonWorld Financial Group business owner Judy Anderson says they spoke to students about funding their college education, and how to access coaching and planning in the beginning stages of that education. She notes they explained the grant application process and how to access more free money for post secondary schooling. Anderson notes they spoke to over a hundred kids before lunch alone, informing them that a background from all walks of life can be provided for in terms of school funding, including those struggling from pay-cheque to pay-cheque.

"We talked to all of them about the new college planning program. So, there were different levels of interest. But like all kids, they don't always listen to their parents or their teachers. The reality is sometimes they'll listen to that third party."

Anderson adds it was a great event and she totally enjoyed it, noting it's the first year their educational based company presented at the Expo.