GREENFIELD — About 20 employers from the private and public sectors set up tables at Greenfield High School last week to appeal to young people readying to make their own way in the world.

The school held a career fair Friday morning so juniors and seniors could ask questions of some of the region’s employers and get a feel for what it might be like working for those companies. Private employers included Baystate Health, McDonald’s, Big Y World Class Market and Mayhew Steel Products Inc. while some of the public employers were the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for all and I look forward to continuing on with enhancing the event in upcoming years. After all, this is one of the fundamental purposes of the public education experience,” said Greenfield High School Principal Derek Morrison. “Preparing and promoting students for post-secondary opportunities is the goal.”

Morrison explained the career fair was created through a collaboration between business teacher Chris McMahon, manufacturing teacher Kyle Bostrom and the school’s partners at the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center.

Senior Lucy Karieva scoped out the tables outside the school’s auditorium. She said she is most interested in a health care career but was also intrigued by what she heard from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

“I like the rehabilitation of it — they’re not just sending people to jail,” Karieva said in reference to efforts to help people combat addiction and related crime. “I really like that part of it.”

Students seemed to gravitate to Lincoln Technical Institute’s table to try out a virtual welder, which simulates welding and assigns points for accuracy and quality. Sales representative Nancy Getchell said students often flock to the simulator at career fairs because it’s unique and interactive. One of those students Friday was senior Noah Fahmy, who said he was exploring various opportunities at the fair. He said after graduation he might take a gap year to work and save up money.

Sgt. 1st Class John Vivier attended the career fair to inform students about the benefits of joining the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Unlike other military branches, the National Guard allows people to serve just one weekend a month and qualify for having 100% of college tuition paid for.

“We mesh well in this environment,” Vivier commented, “because we complement the other careers.”

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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