Credit card caps could recreate old barriers

WESTFIELD — Westfield Public Schools is hosting two events for area high school students for which they are seeking business and community participation.
The High School Career Fair, taking place on April 1 in Scanlon Hall at Westfield State University, will be attended by juniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, St. Mary’s High School and White Oak School.
Local businesses are sought who would like to set up tables — which will be provided — and share their fields with students. There is no cost to participate. “If they are recruiting for jobs now or work in a field they want to get kids interested in, they are welcome,” said organizer Kate Perez.
The event, which will draw 400 juniors from area Westfield schools, will run from 9:40 a.m. until 12:10 p.m., and vendors are welcome to set up beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The students, who will arrive in two shifts, will be encouraged to ask business representatives questions such as what they like best about the job, what training is required, and what can students do to prepare for a career in the field?
Businesses and organizations looking to recruit students for jobs now or over the summer are also encouraged to participate. “We have had kids leave with a job,” Perez said.
“It’s an opportunity to talk to students, tell them what you’re looking for in future employees or if you have current openings to fill; a chance to recruit for your field instantly or to spark interest in the future,” she said.
Interested businesses may email Kate Perez at kate.perez@schoolsofwestfield.org to sign up. The Career Fair is held in partnership with the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce and Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA).
Credit for Life Fair
Volunteers are also needed for the Credit for Life Fair on April 8, which will take place in the Westfield High School gymnasium, with student participation from WHS, WTA, St. Mary’s, White Oak, Southwick Regional, Lower Pioneer Valley Education Collaborative and Gateway Regional.
Put on by the Western Mass. Credit for Life Committee, Perez said Credit for Life is a lively and fun interactive event that engages students in real-world budgeting and money management issues.
At the fair, students will select a profession, receive a monthly take-home salary, and navigate various booths — such as housing, insurance, clothing, and retirement — to make “purchases” using imaginary cash, credit or savings. The goal is to help students to learn how to live within their budget.
Volunteers, who are asked to arrive at 7:30 a.m. for training, will be assigned to a booth and engage with students as they make their financial decisions. While many of the volunteers come from the financial industries, all backgrounds are welcome, and volunteers will be matched at suitable booths. The first shift of students arrives at 8:30 a.m. and the fair ends at 12 p.m.
Refreshments for both events will be supplied by Westfield Technical Academy.