Instead of seeking out prospective employers, Mexico High School Jobs for America’s Graduates participants had local jobs coming to them.

The high school’s JAG program hosted its annual reverse career fair May 6, where local employers were invited to visit students, who were set up around the MHS Athletic Complex, and provide them feedback on their resumes.

Oliver Brilhante, MHS JAG specialist, said the reverse career fair is an opportunity for participants to showcase the skills they have learned throughout the year.

Brilhante said there are three basic components to the career fair — a resume portion, which is also the student’s midterm; a public product, such as a trifold board or slideshow, to reference during conversation; and a feedback form employers use to provide suggestions for improvement.

All of these components contribute to the students’ final grade in the class, but the reverse career fair is about more than just a final grade.

“More importantly, we have conversations about the written feedback and how they can improve, how they feel it went, and then we get that information from the employer as well,” Brilhante said.

In a nutshell, Brilhante said JAG is a workforce development program.

David Richards, a sophomore JAG participant, showcased his experience with cattle farm and tractor maintenance as well as his current job as an automotive detailer at Jim Butler in Centralia to local employers.

“This is my first year, but I've loved it, loved everything about it,” Richards said.

Richards added that another perk of JAG is the field trips.

“A lot of the people come here just because JAG gets you out of school a lot,” he said. “I’ve only ever been on one field trip, but it’s more than just the places we go — it’s the lessons that we get taught, the things we learn (and) the people we get to meet.”

The reverse career fair also serves as an opportunity for networking between local students and their local employers.

“I think it’s a really good tool for the high schoolers to get that experience talking with local jobs and people and being able to start that networking,” Tyler Roberts, Mexico Parks and Recreation superintendent, said. “I wish I had this opportunity in high school.”

Roberts said while he was not part of the hiring process, he has been able to recommend a parks and recreation applicant based on his experience at the reverse career fair in the past.

“I think it’s awesome for the kids to be able to experience,” he said.