Columbia City High School hosted the annual College and Career Fair for 800 Whitley County students with more than 70 post-secondary and career options in attendance.
Held at Columbia City High School, students from Columbia City, Churubusco and Whitko High School attended the event to meet with prospective employers, internship hosts, and post-secondary opportunities within career areas of interest.
The annual event is part of Whitley County Consolidated Schools Essential Experiences for senior students. Essential Experiences are identified grade-level specific events or opportunities that help with career exploration through an intentional framework with a focus on work ethic and employability skills in addition to their required coursework.
“We are proud to once again partner with the counselors to host the College and Career Fair for students. It is vital students have the opportunity to meet with and learn from our community partners and see what’s available for them. Connecting students to opportunities and experiences outside of the classroom is crucial for what they will do after graduation,” said Lori Heuer, WCCS Talent Development Director.
A variety of colleges and career focus areas were represented and employers found value in the event each year.
“Micropulse is always grateful to be a part of the Columbia City High School Career Fair! This event provides students with a valuable opportunity to explore different career paths, connect with professionals and discover exciting opportunities they may not have considered. We love being part of their journey toward a bright future,” said Suzanne Kuntz, Micropulse Human Resource Generalist.
Thank you, participants:
Community Foundation of Whitley County
Questa Education Foundation
INvestEd
Ag Plus
Alma College
Art22 Academy
Army National Guard
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Ball State Teachers College
Ball State University
Bowen Health
Bowling Green State University
Brooks Construction Company Inc.
Butler University
C&A Tool
Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Creations Beauty School
Defiance College
FCI Construction
Five Star Distributing
Franklin College
Garland Company and & Ft Wayne Roofing
Goshen College
Grace College
Huntington University
Indiana Department of Transportation
Indiana Physical Therapy
Indiana State University
Indiana Tech
Indiana University – Bloomington
Indiana University – South Bend
Indiana Wesleyan University
IU Fort Wayne
IU Indianapolis
Ivy Tech Community College
Manchester University
Marian University
Michael Kinder and Sons
Micropulse, Inc.
Milestone Contractors / Speedway Construction
Minear Real Estate
Northern Michigan University
Novae LLC
Oakland University
Paige’s Crossing
Parkview Health
Pro Resources Staffing
Purdue Fort Wayne
Purdue Fort Wayne – ETCS
Purdue University
Saint Mary’s College
Sheet Metal Workers Local 20
Steel Dynamics
T-E Incorporated
Taylor University
The Modern College of Design
The T.A.G. Art Company
Three Rivers Ambulance Authority
Ultra Maritime, LLC
United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Postal Service
University of Indianapolis
University of Northwestern Ohio
University of Saint Francis
Valparaiso University
W.A. Jones
Warner Electric
Weigand Construction
YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
The College and Career Fair is an annual event and businesses can register in February 2026. If your business is not yet connected with Columbia City High School or WCCS, we encourage you to contact Lori Heuer, WCCS Talent Development Director or Jennifer Reiff, WCCS Career and Technical Education Director to share your opportunities with the future of our community.
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About WCCS Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Whitley County Consolidated Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) is committed to providing innovative, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for successful careers and lifelong professional development. Our comprehensive CTE programs bridge academic knowledge with practical skills, offering students pathways to explore, learn, and excel in diverse technical and professional fields.
Our 24 pathways offer a dynamic curriculum designed to meet the evolving demands of today's workforce. Through expert instruction and industry-aligned coursework, we empower students to develop critical technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and professional competencies that will set them apart in their future careers.
We are dedicated to creating clear pathways that connect education with career success, helping students transform their potential into professional achievement.
For more information about our CTE programs, course offerings, and opportunities, visit wccsonline.com/o/cchs/page/career-and-technical-education.
About Whitley County Consolidated Schools
Whitley County Consolidated Schools (WCCS) is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that empowers all students to achieve their full potential. Serving Columbia City and surrounding communities, WCCS believes in fostering a learning environment that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and character development. With a commitment to innovation and collaboration, our district offers a diverse curriculum, dedicated educators, and state-of-the-art facilities designed to inspire and engage every learner. Through partnerships with families and the community, WCCS strives to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. For more information about our schools, programs, and initiatives, visit us at [www.wccsonline.com](https://www.wccsonline.com).
Media Contact
Dr. Laura McDermott, WCCS Superintendent mcdermottla@wccsonline.com
Kennedy Saggars, WCCS Marketing Director saggarskt@wccsonline.com