Julia Sand/Winonan

Students no longer have an excuse for a boring summer in Winona: more than 40 employers attended the Summer Camp, Internship and Volunteer Fair last week.

These employers lined each crevice of the Student Activity Center on Thursday, Feb. 21, leaking into the lower hyphen, making it difficult for students to ignore the opportunities – especially if the crowded hallways were obstacles on the way to class.

Employers from right here in Winona to Wisconsin neighbors, including Cotter Schools, Saint Anne’s of Winona and YMCA Camp McLean, laid out business cards, candy and brochures for students.

Employer Kim Sholze from Bethany Saint John Care Center in LaCrosse, Wisc., said they look for employees year round, as well as volunteers.

Currently they have two Winona State University student interns.

Lindsey Miller, event coordinator for Career Services, said the fair has been going on annually for nearly 20 years, a testament to its success.

The return of familiar faces, however, speaks much louder, Miller said.

“We do have several alumni here. It’s really great to see them coming back and representing their new organization,” Miller said.

Don Enger, representative of YMCA Camp McLean, is one of those alumni.

“I got hired here, because I went to this camp fair,” Enger said.

Back in 2002, Enger got a job at a YMCA camp in his sophomore year. He started off as a trips director. After graduation in 2005, he made it a career, now working as a summer camp director in charge of marketing, activity development and more.

Only a few years ago he was in the shoes of the student body. Now on the other side of the information table, he said these camp opportunities are great for leadership skills, work ethic skills and other valuable lessons applicable to any major.

Being an education major, Enger said working outside of the classroom with kids was beneficial; however, positions ranging from business managing, marketing, photography, administration and food services are also available at summer camps.

“There are so many different outlets that camp will offer, besides just working with kids in a recreational setting,” Enger said.

Enger said being on the other side of the table he now sees students’ uncertainty in the direction of their future. He said often making a decision is the best thing a student can do, even if it’s a mistake.

“As a leader and looking for people who are leaders, you want people who can make a decision and to go with it, and even make mistakes with your decisions,” he said.

Students can expect the fair to be back next year with more options for summer camps, internships and volunteer opportunities, for Winona State’s fair is given feedback from the inside as well as the outside.

“From an employer point of view, I had one come up to me and say, ‘This is absolutely the best fair. You have the best students, they are prepared, they are knowledgeable, so we are coming back every year,’ so that was exciting to hear,” Miller said.

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