The ESC of Northeast Ohio and the First Ring Schools Collaborative hosted “An E for Me Opportunity Fair” on February 9 at the Tri-C Metro Campus in Cleveland. More than 400 high school students from the inner ring schools of Cleveland learned about their employment, entrepreneurship, enlistment and education opportunities after high school graduation.
Kierra Cotton, a digital reporter for the WKYC TV-3 award-winning “What’s New” 5 p.m. newscast, welcomed the students and introduced the speakers and panelists. Cotton delivers entertainment headlines while also reporting on feature stories, highlighting the vibrant Northeast Ohio community. She discussed her educational journey and how she was able to step in front of a camera for the first time in college and the impact that made on her career path.
Ethan Holmes, founder/CEO of Holmes Mouthwatering Applesauce, a Cleveland- based manufacturer of all-natural applesauce, was the keynote speaker. Holmes started his company at the age of 15 and shared his incredible story with the students about business management, starting a business, and the distribution of his product to hundreds of stores. In addition to sharing his story, he taught the students about marketing, branding, and research and development. He also shared video testimonials from local young children who already have taken their entrepreneurial drive to creating and marketing a product. Students enjoyed learning about the importance of colors and logos to selling products and services with a logo guessing game.
There were also 30+ panelists/presenters that work in different fields as well as all branches of the United States military who had the opportunity to interact with the students.
One of the most common pieces of advice from the panelists was the importance of young adults developing soft skills…having a good work ethic, integrity, responsibility, being on time, having good communication skills and showing proper manners.
“We hope this day has inspired these students to think about their future in a new light and now have insight into making decisions on their next pathway,” said Tippi Foley, Career Pathways & Early Childhood Consultant for the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio.
Districts represented included: Berea, Bedford, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cuyahoga Heights, Cleveland Heights, Maple Heights, Richmond Heights, Shaker Heights, Warrensville Heights, East Cleveland, South Euclid-Lyndhurst, Euclid, Garfield Heights, and Brooklyn.
Special thanks to our presenters and panelists: FBI Cleveland, US Army, US Navy, US Marines, US Coast Guard, US Air Force/Space Force, US Secret Service, Ohio Homeland Security, US Marshals Service, Federal Homeland Security, Olympic Steel, Lincoln Electric, Swagelok, State Talent Acquisition, Component Repair Technologies, Tech Elevator Cleveland Clinic, The Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Holmes Mouthwatering Applesauce, MAGNET, Cleveland Guardians, WKYC TV-3, Tri-C, Sheet Metal Workers - Smart Local 33, Cleveland Builds, Cement Masons, Drywall Finishers, HBA of Greater Cleveland, Electricians, Laborers 860, Building Laborers 310. Special thanks to the First Ring Schools career leaders as well as Tri-C for their willingness to host this event.