"The capacity to prepare students to be competitive in the global workforce is important for a better future," Freda Leslie Pillow, Columbia State Community College career counselor and event chairperson, said. "This event provided students with meaningful access to career and educational planning resources."

There were 24 partnering organizations available to speak directly with juniors and seniors of the area high schools on career and educational choices.

The theme of the CTE 2013 Fair was "Direction, Decisions and Career Satisfaction," with the overall message, 'If you want this type of job, then you will need this type of education.'

The CTE 2013 Fair was structured according to 16 industry clusters: agriculture and natural resources; architecture and construction; arts and communication; business and administration; education and training; finance; government and administration; health science; hospitality and tourism; human services; information technology; law and public safety; manufacturing; marketing; science and mathematics; and transportation and logistics.

Students were guided through industry cluster zones to interact with employers and post-secondary institutions. Resources were made available to participants on careers, military, access and diversity, financial aid and scholarship information. At the concluding stage of the guided zone tour, participants were provided the opportunity to respond to a computer-based feedback survey.

"We received exceptional feedback [survey and verbal] from the students, teachers, presenters, and planning team members on the fresh approach, the flow of the fair, the spacious location and the resources made available to participants" Pillow said.

Participating partners who delivered information and resources directly to the students included: Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation , Caledonia Financial, TRG Customer Solutions, Columbia Fire Department, Columbia Police Department, Legacy Lifecare Program, United Parcel Service, Columbia State Community College, Miller Motte, National Guard, Oak Horizons, South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, Tennessee Army Reserve, Tennessee Career Institute, Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy, Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Technology Centers.

The co-sponsors of the event were Columbia State Community College, Tennessee Technology Center-Pulaski, Tennessee Technology Center-Hohenwald, Tennessee Career Institute, SunDrop and McDonald's.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.