Planting Seeds: Why Showing Up Matters at High School Career Events
Written By: Mary Anne Medlock, West Kentucky Workforce Board
Spring brings a familiar rhythm to our communities—longer days, graduation countdowns, and a calendar full of high school career fairs, mock interview days, and work readiness events. For employers, these invitations can sometimes feel like a stretch. You may look at your current openings and think, “We don’t have roles that align with a brand-new high school graduate.” And you may be right. But showing up to these events isn’t really about filling open positions. It’s about planting seeds.
When students walk through a career fair, they are not just looking for a job—they are building their awareness of what’s possible. They are beginning to connect the dots between what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and what careers exist in their own backyard. If your organization isn’t present in that moment, you simply aren’t part of that mental map. And when they are ready—after a certification, a degree, or a few years of experience—they won’t think of you, because they’ve never seen you. Visibility today creates opportunity tomorrow.
For years, I rolled my eyes at the traditional career fair model. Employers sitting behind tables lining the perimeter of a school gym, waiting for students to approach. The employers looked bored, the students were disengaged, and the teachers were hoping the experience meant something. If we’re being honest, sometimes the most memorable outcomes were a few conversations between friends and maybe a prom date or two. Despite efforts to reimagine these events, I’ve come to understand that this model persists because it’s what schools can organize, what employers expect, and what students will tolerate—especially if it means a break from class.
So I challenge you—put your phone and your laptop away. Step out from behind that table and smile. Start a conversation. Ask a student what they enjoy, what they’re curious about, or what they think they want to do next. Share a quick story about your own path—especially if it wasn’t a straight line. These moments don’t have to be long or perfect to be meaningful. What matters is that you show up as a person, not just a company. Because when you create a genuine connection—even for a few minutes—you turn a routine event into something that sticks with them long after the gym is cleared.
Career events give you the rare opportunity to introduce your organization on your own terms. Many of the students you meet have been hearing about your company for years—at the dinner table, in the car, through stories shared by their parents and family members. Sometimes those stories are positive. Sometimes they’re not. But they’ve shaped a perception long before the student ever meets you.
When a student walks up to your booth and says, “My mom works here,” or “My dad talks about your company,” that moment matters. It’s your chance to connect the dots between the workplace their parent experiences and the future they’re imagining for themselves. It’s your chance to show pride in your team, to reinforce that their parent’s work is valued, and to let that student see your organization with fresh eyes. Consider responding with something as simple as, “We’re lucky to have your parent—they do important work,” you’re doing more than making small talk. You’re strengthening a connection. You’re affirming the dignity of work. And you’re building trust that extends beyond the student standing in front of you. These interactions don’t result in immediate hires. They don’t show up in your quarterly metrics. But they matter—more than we often realize.
Spring career events are not about recruiting talent in the traditional sense. They are about building awareness and shaping perception long before an application is ever submitted. They are about being present in your community and demonstrating that your organization values people—not just as employees, but as families, neighbors, and future contributors. And as you show up, don’t keep that work to yourself.
Take a photo. Share the moment. Highlight your team engaging with students, offering encouragement, and representing your organization. When you post, tag #4RSHRM so we can amplify your efforts and celebrate the impact you’re making across our region. These snapshots tell a bigger story—one of employers investing in the next generation and strengthening the communities we all serve.
So even if you don’t have the “right” openings today, take a seat at the table anyway. Because the students you meet this spring are the workforce of tomorrow. And the impression you leave—no matter how small it may seem—has a way of growing over time.
Need help connecting with your local school district? Email Mary Anne Medlock for information.
