DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Students at Danville High School were able to talk with businesses and universities to prepare them for a better future.

Thursday was the SKILLS USA Career Fair, a program focusing on helping students network. Even though it’s only the second year the school has hosted this, more than 30 vendors were there, and students said they left with a ton of new information.

Students like senior Tayvion Diltz is getting a chance to build a connection and an opportunity.
Thursday morning, Danville High School hosted their SKILLS USA Career Fair.

“You know, if you didn’t know what you wanted to do and whatnot, they would definitely help you here,” Diltz said. “And I think this is a great opportunity for everybody.”

This is the second year the school has hosted this event. Teacher Joseph Wernert said it focuses on opening up doors for students.

“So, we’re getting them in front of businesses that say, ‘hey, these are the soft skills that you need. These are the sort of introductory level things we want you to have seen before you come to us.'”

Hundreds of students showed up to visit more than 30 vendors at the career fair. Diltz was lucky enough to experience this twice. He said last year he didn’t know what career field he wanted to dive into, but this year he was prepared.

“I want to experience what it’s like in athletic training and kinesiology and what that’s like for a different career perspective from somebody who’s actually experienced it and whatnot,” Diltz said.

And Wernert said those are the ideas he wants all of the students to think about.

“Because a lot of times there’s more than one way to get there,” Wernert said. “And it’s not cookie cutter, so these kids need to have these conversations outside of just the classroom space.”

As for Diltz, he said the career fair couldn’t have been any better. He was able turn in a few resumes, and he hopes this will encourage other students to take advantage of opportunities like this.

“Because we have more teachers who are willing to work with us and get organizations like this to set up with everything,” Diltz said.

He also said his plan is to attend the University of Illinois to study kinesiology. Skills USA is an organization that empowers students to become skilled professionals. They’ve helped more than 400,000 students and teachers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.