On May 3, 2023, I got the opportunity, alongside Jerry Orr, trade and industry coordinator, Hawkeye Technical Community College, to team up with the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) to demonstrate seaming carpet at an annual career fair in Waterloo, Iowa. High school juniors and seniors within the Waterloo school district, who had been enrolled in tech classes throughout the year, were given the opportunity to attend the career fair. 

We set up modules where the students could practice putting together a seam. Over 60 students accepted the challenge to construct a carpet seam. There was great participation between both male and female students. Students naturally became competitive with their peers on who could construct the best-looking seam.

I asked several students if they had ever considered entering the flooring trade. The most common answer was: “I did not know this was even a career choice.” 

I believe all flooring professionals should take the time and volunteer to participate in an event like this. These young men and women have no clue that careers in flooring even exist. Let's show them they do exist and that they are very rewarding financially speaking as well as from a quality-of-life point of view.

Check out views from the Hawkeye Technical College Career Fair by clicking here.

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