Indiana Conservation Officer Nina Freund shared with students about opportunities with the Department of Natural Resources in the morning. During the afternoon, students were able to explore a DNR truck and boat in the Warsaw Community High School Tiger Recreation and Activity Center parking lot. Photos provided by WACC staff.

Press Release

WARSAW — The 18th N.E.W. Workshop was held Thursday, April 13, at the Warsaw Area Career Center.

The acronym N.E.W. stands for exploring non-traditional employment opportunities for women. The event was last held in 2019. This was the first time the event was held on-site at Warsaw Community High School’s Tiger Recreation and Activity Center facility. About 200 sophomore and junior female students from Warsaw and Tippecanoe Valley High Schools were in attendance for the all-day event.

Following opening remarks by Dr. Dani Barkey, deputy superintendent for Warsaw Community Schools; and Heather Reichenbach, Warsaw Community Schools’ Board of Trustees president; a keynote address was presented by Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath, who shared her own non-traditional career path and inspired students to not limit their options or be deterred when things get hard.

During the morning, students rotated through tables staffed by local female leaders from a wide variety of career paths representing opportunities in the skilled trades, military, public service, small businesses, and private corporations. Presenters came from positions with education minimums ranging from high school diploma to advanced college degrees.

Students were able to speak in small groups with the female community leaders at six of the 40 roundtables. They shared with the students about a typical day in their roles, including workday schedules, work environment, and more, with students having the opportunity to ask questions.

The morning concluded with a presentation by Maxin Koontz on the importance of making a positive first impression. Models in the “fashion show” were 10 WCHS senior female students from 10 distinct career pathways offered at the WACC. Hair and makeup services for the models were provided by WACC Cosmetology School students.

The afternoon offered students time to try a wide variety of interactive, hands-on activities to sample different careers. The activities were widely varied and there were opportunities to virtually weld, perform a police search for contraband, design packaging for orthopedic implants, change an automotive cabin air filter, climb in a semi truck, plan a budget, and much more.

Student feedback regarding the event was overwhelmingly positive.

“Before today I only had a couple of careers in mind, but now I have a lot more that I find interesting and would like to learn more about,” one student noted.

“This event made me realize that I have to be open-minded to anything and not just one straight career pathway, because my career isn’t going to look like any other person’s career,” said another student.

The N.E.W. Workshop was presented by the WACC with support from Silver Level Sponsors: Bowers Jewelry, Goshen Health, Paragon Medical, Tranzstar, Tri Kappa, Warsaw Orthodontics, and Wihebrink Landscape Management. Additional support was provided by Bronze Level Sponsors: Culligan of Warsaw, Havrilla & Nolin, Ivy Tech, JB’s Furniture, and Heather Reichenbach.

The next N.E.W. Workshop will be held on Oct. 12, for female students in the Class of 2026.