Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Edzo (Nov 19/01) - Grade 12 student Karen Lafferty now knows what she wants to do with her life after surveying a smorgasbord of job opportunities at a career fair in her Edzo school.

"I want to be an office manager," said Lafferty, 19.

Sitting on a bench near the main entrance of the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, a hubbub coming down the hall from a career fair, Lafferty said she plans to go to college down south when she graduates.

The school held its annual three-day career fair last week offering students a myriad of job options from nursing to flying helicopters. Around 150 students met with business representatives to discuss career options.

"The big goal is career awareness," said Adam Jarvis, school guidance councillor. "So they know what's out there in the Northern economy.'

Michael Handley, stores manager at the Buffalo Air School of Aviation, spent a busy afternoon answering students questions.

Buffalo Air runs the North's first aviation engineering school.

"The interest has been high," said Handley. "Students have asked a lot of questions."

Gary Howe, diamond polisher with Arslanian Diamond polishers, said the interest at his table was good.

"We had pretty interesting questions from interested students," said Howe. "We'll be back next year."

Most of the businesses represented at the career fair said it was a surprisingly well organized event.

Head student organizer Ria Zoe, 17, said organization proved to be hectic but it the fair came out great in the end.

"I hope (students) gained a knowledge of different careers," she said.

The Grade 12 student said she's still trying to find her calling.

Tiffany Fish, 13, said she liked the Great Slave Helicopters display.

"I want to be a pilot," said the Grade 8 student.

This is the third year for the new career fair format implemented by English language co-ordinator Dianne Lafferty.

The school held previous fairs in the gym.