Students from across the McLean area gathered this weekend at the McLean Community Center for a bustling job fair that connected teenagers with local employers. The fair offered a wide range of insight on various jobs for teenagers including tutoring, retail or pool-related jobs.
The event allowed students to connect with employers, where they could ask questions one-on-one, and even pick up informational packets for further instruction.
“Each booth was very informational, and it’s helpful to talk to employers instead of just searching online,” sophomore Ella Xu said.
The fair provided a chance to move past online applications and develop a clearer, more practical understanding of the workplace for a highschooler.
“What stood out to me was how different each role is in terms of responsibility and commitment, it helped me think more seriously about what kind of work environment I would actually be interested in,” Xu said.
Primarily geared toward sophomores approaching the minimum hiring age, 16, many students found the event valuable because they appreciated employers’ willingness to answer questions about job processes thoroughly.
“I came in wanting more clarity on what employers actually value, and how to enter the job market,” sophomore Enzo Wang said. “Having direct conversations made it easier to understand expectations beyond what you see in the average job description.”
The employers also viewed the fair as an important way to engage with students who were beginning to build professional experience.
“At Mathnasium, we look for students who have a passion for math, can clearly communicate and think critically, especially with young learners,” Mathnasium representative Maggie Stanley said. “Events like these allow us to connect with our teenage community who are not only qualified, but genuinely interested in contributing.”
The fair also highlighted the importance of early work experience, encouraging students to begin developing skills such as leadership, communication and time management.
“Beyond just getting a job, I think [it’s important to know] about how you manage your time and interact professionally,” Xu said. “These are just some skills that you don’t really get from school alone.”
For many attendees, the event served as an initial step toward economic independence.
“Ive been wondering how to balance academics with a job,” Wang said. “Luckily, a lot of these places provide summer opportunities so I can get a headstart, and not worry about academics just yet.”
As the event continued throughout the day, steady attendance throughout the two-hour duration remained consistent, showing teenagers’ interest in gaining real-world experience.
“Opportunties like the job fair play an important role in helping teenagers build confidence and take initiative,” Stanley said. “This kind of engagement shows that many of these highschoolers are ready to grow in a collaborative learning environment.”
