Article Text
McLean-area teenagers explored their first steps into the workforce during a two-hour job fair at the McLean Community Center this weekend, meeting directly with employers offering tutoring, retail and pool-related positions.
Students could visit booths, ask employers questions one-on-one and collect informational materials about available opportunities and hiring processes.
“Each booth was very informational, and it’s helpful to talk to employers instead of just searching online,” sophomore Ella Xu said.
The event was primarily aimed at sophomores nearing 16, the minimum hiring age for many jobs. Attendees said the conversations offered practical details that can be difficult to find in online applications and standard job descriptions.
“What stood out to me was how different each role is in terms of responsibility and commitment,” Xu said. “It helped me think more seriously about what kind of work environment I would actually be interested in.”
Sophomore Enzo Wang attended hoping to learn what businesses seek in young applicants and how teenagers can enter the workforce.
“Having direct conversations made it easier to understand expectations beyond what you see in the average job description,” Wang said.
Employers also used the fair to meet students who are beginning to develop professional experience. Maggie Stanley, a Mathnasium representative, said the company seeks students who are passionate about math, communicate clearly and think critically, particularly when working with younger learners.
“Events like these allow us to connect with our teenage community who are not only qualified, but genuinely interested in contributing,” Stanley said.
The fair emphasized that early employment can provide more than a paycheck. Students discussed workplace skills such as leadership, communication, professional conduct 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 some attendees, summer employment offered a possible route toward greater economic independence without interfering with classes.
“I’ve 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 head start and not worry about academics just yet.”
Attendance remained steady throughout the event, reflecting local teenagers’ interest in gaining workplace experience.
“Opportunities 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 high schoolers are ready to grow in a collaborative learning environment.”