WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Metro Schools hold career fair for freshmen

Metro Schools hold career fair for freshmen

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The nation's unemployment rate has topped 10% for the first time in 26 years.  The news does not instill confidence in a workforce hoping to rebound from the recession.

More than 3,000 freshmen from ten different Metro high schools attended a career fair at the Nashville Convention Center on Friday.

The students were tasked with choosing and learning more about five different careers.

Roughly 150 jobs were represented, ranging from musician to police officer to nurse to brick layer.

"It's interesting to see the light bulb go on in some of these kids," said Betsy Bledsoe of architect and design firm Early Swensson Associates. "To see that they can have a career and be passionate about something, and make it their career...it's really cool to see them realize that."

Veronica Giron Vasquez, a ninth grader at Antioch High School, looked forward to the field trip.

"Well, I want to interview a doctor for sure," the freshman told News 2, "because that's the main goal of what I want to be."

"[The educational requirement] does seem to surprise them, they get kind of wide-eyed and some of them start shaking their heads," said Dr. Gene Hannah of Vanderbilt Sports Medicine.

David Masterson of construction firm Wasco, Inc. spent the day telling students about the benefits of a construction career.

"So we're promoting, trying to convince the children that this is an honorable craft and career," Masterson told News 2, "that can give you the things in life that all Americans want."

Most of the 14 and 15year-olds admitted they're not too worried about finding a job just yet, and believe the economy will improve before they enter the workforce.

"I have faith that there will be a job out there somewhere," said Antioch High School freshmen Carlos Combs.