Career fair to be held for students
The Boys and Girls Club of Lake County wants fifth- through 12th-graders to start thinking about their futures and hope to give them the encouragement and education to make it happen.
The Boys and Girls Club of Lake County will hold its third annual Dare to Dream College and Career Development Directive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
The event, a kick off to the club's college and career programs, will take place at its Genesee Street clubhouse, 724 S. Genesee St., Waukegan.
Open to fifth- through 12th-graders across Lake County, the focus is to provide them an opportunity to talk with professionals representing more than 20 occupations.
Several Fortune 500 corporations such as Hewitt & Associates, Cardinal Health, Abbott Laboratories and Allstate Insurance Company will participate, as well as civil service workers, clergy, certified professionals and entrepreneurs.
Students will hear from professionals who will share what their personal journey to success has been like, beginning with education, said Sharon Sanders-Funnye, the club's director of resource development..
"We know kids need to have connections to people who are working in various professions," she said. "Kids imitate what they see."
College counselors and representatives also will be available to discuss college preparation, admissions and financial aid process.
Among colleges that will be represented are DePaul University, Southern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Marquette, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Gateway Technical College, College of Lake County and Robert Morris College.
"They give the kids all the tools they need to make a solid decision when they want to go to school," Sanders-Funnye said.
The keynote speaker will be Bob Love, a retired Chicago Bulls player. Love is currently the director of community affairs for the Chicago Bulls and a motivational speaker.
Sanders-Funnye said Love shares his encouraging story of overcoming stuttering and building a career after basketball.
"Listening to Bob, you feel you may face some adversity in your life but you can overcome it," she said.
The College & Career Day serves as the kick-off event for all the opportunities the Boys and Girls Club of Lake County will offer through the school year.
Sanders-Funnye said programs include ACT preparatory classes, college tours, job shadowing and money matters that teaches kids to make solid decisions regarding spending and saving.