Isaac Carrillo and Emmett Matthews each carefully guided a hoop along a metal path as they raced against their opponent.
The Azle High School seniors’ competition, though, wasn’t worried. In fact, it didn’t have feelings. It was a sleek, glossy white robotic arm conducting the same race albeit on one of its slowest settings.
The race was on at the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center’s table inside the TTI warehouse in north Fort Worth where more than 1,000 Tarrant County students attended the Junior Achievement of the Chisholm Trail’s third annual Career Expo on Wednesday.
Neither student, though, was interested in a manufacturing career. Instead, they want to pursue accounting.
“Anything to do with math like helping people with their money is probably what I would want to do,” Emmett, 17, said.
Junior Achievement President Cindy Hames said the expo’s goal is showing students their career options. Nearly 100 Fort Worth-area employers and college programs exhibited as they informed students of necessary skills, training and education.
Students wandered around the warehouse talking to industry leaders. Investments and banking were near the front. Toward the back, a line of new cars and trucks from General Motors and dealerships. In the middle, professionals discussed careers in manufacturing, science, journalism, hospitality and beyond.
“We’re here to inspire them and give them some ideas for what to do later in life,” Hames said.
North Side High School juniors Valeria Cazares and Yuridia Ortiz moseyed around tables talking to colleges. Yuridia, 16, is interested in criminal justice and dental work.
Valeria, though, wasn’t as sure. She visited the Tarleton State University booth and fell in love with its variety of majors and potential to impact her future.
Exploring future pathways was exciting for Valeria, 17, as she figures out what she wants to do after graduation.
“For the most part, we don’t realize how many opportunities we have until we’re here in events like this,” she said. “I feel like we get to see more of what we’re missing out on.”
Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or @_jacob_sanchez.
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