Students see what the Air Force is all about

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph Garcia
  • 509th Bomb Wing
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 131st Bomb Wing, part of the Missouri Air National Guard, hosted a career fair for high school students from around Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sept. 22, 2023.

Students were able to see first hand what career opportunities are available within the U.S. Air Force. The fair provided the opportunity for students to gain a deeper knowledge on what Airmen do within their career field.

“I feel like it’s important for people to understand what you all do here because it’s an important job,” said Cameron Karbinas, a North West High School senior. “I feel like people seeing all this helps them appreciate what you all do.”

That insight is what organizers hoped for from this year's career fair.

“Being able to have them visit with people in uniform and learn that they’re human and regular people is valuable,” said MSgt Kirsten Lovins, 131st Bomb Wing recruiting flight chief. “Even if you go on the website and read about something, it’s not the same as getting to actually engage with someone in person.”

Plans for another career fair are already in the works after seeing a turnout of approximately 150 students and teachers from 15 different schools and receiving mostly positive feedback.

“Some of the kids started out seeing it as a way to get out of school but realized by the end of the day there’s some actual good information,” said Lovins. “One of the high schools reached out and said ‘we can’t wait for the next one.’”

The next career fair is planned for April, 2024.