October 22, 2009 in City

College fair draws hundreds in Spokane

Jody Lawrence-Turner The Spokesman-Review

Tags: careers College education

Students Kristin Nelson, kneeling, and J.B. Lange of Gar-Pal High School check out programs at the Spokane National College Fair at the Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. In the foreground, Chuck Hart of Western Washington University, left, talks with Kathy Bays.
(Full-size photo)

Hundreds of high school students considering their futures flooded the Spokane National College Fair at the Convention Center on Thursday.

Representatives from about 170 colleges, universities and vocational schools as well as military branches were there to entice potential candidates. Sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the event included workshops on financial aid, college applications and two- and four-year college transfers.

“I came here thinking I knew what college I wanted to go to, but then I saw so many other colleges I liked,” said Taylor Graves, a North Central High School senior.

Her classmate, Mercedes Calkins, was considering the best school for obtaining a communications degree. The senior’s first choice was Washington State University; her second, Eastern Washington University.

Students from throughout the region traveled by bus to the one-day event from Curlew, Brewster, Deer Park, Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston.

Erik Rios, 18, of Brewster High School, said he and his friends were disappointed in the variety of schools represented.

“We all want to go to art school and they didn’t really have anything,” he said.

Rios wants to pursue a degree in film. His classmates were looking for educational opportunities in music and gaming.

Deer Park junior Carson Jessup, 17, described her approach to picking the right school: “The brochures show what types of people go to the schools. We were looking for people who were causal, laid back.”

The University of Oregon in Eugene was among her choices.

The vocational schools saw some interest, too, said Shanna Pa’u, lead admissions representative at Alpine College, which offers such programs as medical assistance, surgical technologist and phlebotomy. They are one-year programs with job placement services at graduation and a small debt, Pa’u said.

Two comments on this story so far. Add yours!

Rifleman__Dodd on October 22 at 9:20 p.m.
Art school? Thats very employable.

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Megan_B on October 27 at 11:25 a.m.
Dodd:

As an art school graduate I have to detest your comment with proof. I currently have 3+, that's right, 3+ jobs involving the arts. I graduated from Whitworth with an Art Major and a track of graphic design (digital art). Besides being employed and making enough income to support myself I am able to create and sell fine artwork and jewelry at galleries and local craft fairs, along with commission work.

To those interested in art degrees, I encourage you, but remember that it takes drive to succeed. People like Dodd will discourage the value of your degree, but it's all about finding your niche if it's really what you want to do.

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