RANKIN INLET - Students had a chance to take a peek into the future and see what career choices might be best for them in Rankin Inlet this past month.

The gym at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) was the setting for the event, with numerous presenters on hand for the second annual MUI Career Fair.

Teacher Harold Peach co-ordinated this year's fair, which he deemed as successful.

He said although there were a few empty booths, the presenters did a good job and the students enjoyed the experience.

"There were four local groups invited that didn't show, and that was somewhat disappointing, said Peach."

"We were told some of our Inuit organizations weren't there because of other events taking place at the same time.

"It's very important for us to have them take part in the fair, because they do a good job in promoting Inuit culture and work ethic."

Peach said MUI staff came up with an idea to have a type of scavenger hunt at the fair to provide students with a tool for gathering information.

He said the hunt had 30 questions for students to find the answers to.

"The idea was to have them speak to the presenters at the different booths and gather information, rather than just walking around looking at the displays.

"We awarded prizes to the students who gathered the most correct information, which included a round-trip ticket courtesy of Kivalliq Air and a signed jersey from Jordin Tootoo."

Peach said the hunt helped create good interaction between the students and many of the fair's presenters.

He said staff members would like to see the fair continue as an annual event and grow in stature.

"We're doing up gift cards for the presenters who did attend this year, in hopes it will help encourage them to take part again next year.

"The health workers, RCMP, Kivalliq Mine Training Society, First Air, Calm Air, Canadian North - all who took part - did great jobs in promoting their career fields."

Peach said one of the most popular booths among the students was the new trades school in Rankin.

He said there were a number of instructors present to promote their programs, and many youths had questions for them.

"The new trades school is impressive and it's very, very important for the kids to be aware of the opportunities right here on their own doorstep.

"There's going to be lots of work in this community for the trades in the near future, and we'd like to have our students prepared for that."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.