Students Explore Career Paths at Ottawa County Career Showcase

OAK HARBOR, OH – The Ottawa County Business Advisory Council (BAC) hosted its annual Career Showcase at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds on October 8th, bringing together 38 local businesses and hundreds of students to explore future career pathways across multiple industries.

High school juniors and seniors attended the morning session, engaging directly with employers through guided conversations designed to help them understand how their personal interests and aptitudes align with real-world opportunities. Thanks to a grant from Future Plans, students received preprinted Career Passports customized with interactive questions that encouraged them to record what they learned from employers and share insights with their career coaches.

The Career Passports, developed from students’ YouScience results, helped them recognize how their natural abilities and career interests connect to in-demand fields. By exploring a wide range of career clusters, students gained a deeper understanding of available pathways and the skills needed to succeed in each.

Among the students participating, Braxton Witt, a junior from Oak Harbor High School, expressed his enthusiasm for careers in construction and agriculture—fields inspired by his father’s work.

“My dad owns his own construction business, so I’ve always been close to that,” Witt said. “I like learning more about that stuff. I just like that we can look around, meet new employers, and figure out what we like to do.”

Witt also shared his interest in the Skilled Trades Academy, adding, “I was talking to someone about that. They said it’s fun and that it works with stuff you really care about.”

Another Oak Harbor student, Karmela Neiderhouse, shared how the event opened her eyes to opportunities in healthcare.

“I visited a lot of businesses today – Luther Home of Mercy, Materion, and Andersons,” she said. “I kind of want to go into the healthcare side. I’ve thought about being a therapist or psychologist. When I talked with Luther Home of Mercy, they were explaining how they serve people with disabilities. That’s definitely something I’d like to do – help people in some way, shape, or form.”

In the afternoon, 8th-grade students were encouraged to visit as many employers as possible using an Exit Ticket, where they shared which businesses and careers interested them most—and whether they felt more confident in their career direction. That feedback was sent to participating schools, allowing career coaches to better support students in shaping their future education and training goals.

Employers were equally impressed by the level of student engagement and organization of the event. Suzanne Kostura, HR Manager for the Boardwalk Family of Restaurants, attended for the first time and shared her positive experience.

“This event has exceeded my expectations. I’m shocked by how well-attended and organized it is,” said Kostura. “We will definitely come back.”

With the launch of Ottawa County’s new Hospitality and Tourism Academy, opportunities are growing for students to gain first-hand experience in customer service, retail, lodging, recreation, and event planning.

“I’m happy we tried this event this year,” Kostura added. “We spoke with several students interested in applying to join us next summer. Some were interested in kitchen prep, customer service, and even construction and social media positions. I love seeing the energy in our youth.”

The Career Showcase continues to play a vital role in connecting Ottawa County students with local employers – helping them discover their passions and prepare for the future workforce.

The annual Career Showcase reflects the Ottawa County BAC’s ongoing commitment to career awareness, exploration, and preparation – ensuring that local students are equipped with the knowledge and connections they need to pursue rewarding careers close to home.

This year’s event was proudly sponsored by area businesses whose support made the day possible:

Telamon, Terra State Community College, Northern Manufacturing, Luther Home of Mercy, Omni Fiber, Otterbein, SkipperBuds, The Andersons, Oak House, Materion, Boardwalk Family of Restaurants, RVI, Catawba Island Club, US Army and Genoa Retirement Village.

Thank you to all sponsors for investing in the next generation of Ottawa County’s workforce.