The HHS library hosted the school’s first job fair on April 17. Students visited the library in several groups throughout the day to learn about possible careers, summer or part-time jobs.

Companies at the job fair included Starbucks, Derry Township Parks and Recreation, Tikka Shack, Oola Bowls (which was also hiring for its Hersheypark location), Jay Vending Company, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and Chipotle. Jobs outside of Hershey such as Kenbrook Bible Camp in Lebanon and Echo Dell Indian Echo Caverns in Hummelstown also advertised their available positions.

By allowing students to directly talk to employers face-to-face, they not only gain a better understanding of their career aspirations after graduation, but also build foundational pre-employment soft skills such as effective communication.

“It’s important to have kids to not only apply for summer work, but to also develop skills essential for employment,” said HHS teacher and the job fair organizer Erin Rosensteel.

The career fair encompassed local jobs in Hershey, especially those located in the downtown community, because it has places where students who might not be able to drive and can still have a job within a walkable distance. The organizers started approaching businesses, and many were very interested in the job fair since they wanted to hire students from Hershey High School.

At the fair, businesses can promote themselves by offering free trinkets and advertising their job benefits. For example, Oola Bowls offered free samples and Hersheypark Entertainment offered free lip balm and pamphlets.

“Whether you want a summer job or not, it’s still a good experience to attend a job fair and experience something different,” said Rosensteel.

The library plans on setting up their next job fair in February 2025. Because many of these businesses start their hiring in February, more positions will be open, such as front desk and snack stand positions. By starting earlier, students could have a wider range of job positions that align with their interested careers to choose from.