NEW MADISON, OH – On April 2, 2025, Tri-Village High School hosted its first-ever Career Expo, providing juniors and seniors the opportunity to engage with local businesses and explore potential career paths. With 28 companies in attendance, students had direct access to employers eager to share insights about their industries, company culture, and available job opportunities.
Students arrived well-prepared with resumes and questions, demonstrating a keen interest in learning more about career paths available to them in Darke County and beyond. Many seniors were actively seeking employment opportunities for post-graduation, while others took advantage of the chance to network and gain a better understanding of various career fields. Employers were able to showcase their organizations, discuss open positions, and highlight pathways for students interested in entering the workforce immediately after graduation.
Josh Sagester, Superintendent of Tri-Village Schools, praised the event, stating, “Today was a great opportunity for our high school students to visit and learn about various career opportunities in our county and surrounding areas. The Tri-Village District seeks to provide as many opportunities as possible for our students to be successful today and tomorrow! We would like to thank all the representatives from the various career fields that participated today in our first-ever Career Expo.”
The event was a collaborative effort involving Darke County Economic Development’s Career Connections initiative. Olivia Schmitmeyer, Career Connections Coordinator, emphasized the value of personalized career exploration through the use of YouScience assessments, which have been provided to Darke County sophomores for the past two years. “As the Career Connections Coordinator for Darke County Economic Development, I am thrilled with the success of yesterday’s career connections career expo at Tri-Village High School. It was inspiring to see students actively using their YouScience results to guide their exploration of career paths. By integrating these personalized insights, students were able to engage more deeply with employers and discover opportunities that align with their strengths and interests. This collaboration marks an important step in helping students make informed decisions about their futures, setting them on a path toward success in both their education and careers.”
Local employers also saw the benefit of the event, recognizing it as an important bridge between the emerging workforce and career opportunities within the community. Jacob Weaver of JAFE Decorating shared his enthusiasm, stating, “What the Darke County Economic Board has accomplished over the past few years in connecting local businesses with local youth has been truly outstanding. Tri-Village Career Day is yet another shining example of this initiative’s success. Many students are unaware of the incredible opportunities available right in their own backyard, while countless local businesses are eager for skilled, homegrown talent. By fostering these connections, we’re unlocking the full potential of our remarkable community.”
The Tri-Village Career Expo is a significant step forward in strengthening workforce development efforts in the region. With the continued support of local businesses, educators, and workforce development initiatives like YouScience, students in Darke County are gaining valuable tools to make informed career choices and seize opportunities in their own communities. YouScience is an aptitude-based career guidance tool that helps students identify their natural talents and connect them with career paths that align with their strengths. Unlike traditional career assessments that focus solely on interests, YouScience uses brain games and cognitive exercises to provide personalized insights into students’ abilities and potential career matches. By implementing this tool, Darke County is ensuring that students have a data-driven approach to exploring future careers and making informed decisions about their next steps after graduation.
For more information on workforce development programs and upcoming career events, visit contact Darke County Economic Development at 937.548.3250 or by contacting Olivia Schmitmeyer at oschmitmeyer@darkecounty.com.
Thank you to all the businesses who supported the Tri-Village Career Expo: Beauty Systems Group, Brethren Retirement Community, Darke County Jobs & Family Services, Darke County Sheriff’s Office, Display U, EPPCO, EverHeart Hospice, Family Health Services of Darke County, Flory’s Landscaping, Garbig, Schmidt & Pohlman LLC Attorneys at Law, Greenville City Fire Department, Greenville Police Department, JAFE Decorating, Klockner Pentaplast, Koenig Equipment, LEI (Lightning Electric Inc.), Level MB Construction, Midmark Corporation, Moriroku Technology North America, Primex Plastics, Recovery and Wellness, Reid Health, Spirit Medical Transport, The Andersons, Tri-Village Rescue Services, Wayne HealthCare