Gonzales County students learn about local employment options

GONZALES — Approximately 150 Gonzales County youth were involved in a youth engagement program last week, in an effort to show them Gonzales is a viable workforce alternative to consider after college.

The students from Gonzales, Nixon-Smiley and Waelder school districts were gathered at Victoria College – Gonzales, for an informative session on Gonzales-based businesses, then asked to each select a category of interest.

After selecting a field of interest, the youth were separated into groups and taken out into the community to see several businesses first hand.

Students interested in Healthcare were taken to visit Memorial Hospital, Mohrmann's Pharmacy and The Heights of Gonzales.

Youth interested in industry were taken to Adam's Extracts, Aspen Beverage Company and A&S Recycling.

Students interested in retail were taken to Angels & Outlaws, Main Street Marketplace and Craft Crossing.

After reconvening at VCG the youth had lunch from La Bella Tavolla, a local Italian restaurant and participated in a question and answer program and were surveyed.

Sasha Kardoz, with Gonzales Healthcare Systems, said she was happy with the number of students who were interested in returning to Gonzales after college and glad that so many were interested in the medical field.

Pam Malatek, owner of Craft Crossing, said she had 23 students visit her shop Thursday and she spoke to them about small-town retail and answered questions prepared by teachers and sponsors.

At A&S Recycling, Gilbert Casares, general manager, showed the students the day-to-day operations of the plant, without disturbing the flow of customers.

"I told them how easy it is to make money in this industry and how they would be doing the Earth a great service," Casares said.

The event was mostly made up of junior and senior students, who are either filling out college applications, or preparing to graduate.

The initiative to bring students back to Gonzales County after college, is to help with community growth and sustainability.