Approximately 2,200 high school sophomores and juniors from 27 school districts in the La Crosse area attended the La Crosse Center's Career Expo October 2, 2007. 

The Career Expo was a joint effort of the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, Western Wisconsin Technical College, the Wisconsin Education Fair and 22 area high schools.

There were 50 different booths which focused on six career clusters including: Agri-Business Science Technology & Natural Resources; Arts, Humanities & Communication; Business Management, Administration & Marketing; Health Care; Human Services & Education; and Industrial Science & Manufacturing Technologies. 

Heidi Keuler from the USFWS - La Crosse NFWCO spoke to an ethnically diverse array of approximately 100 students on the career of a fishery biologist. Students viewed a video of jumping Silver carp and interviews of biologists from the FWS La Crosse Service Resource Center that received national coverage. 

This video as well as a slide show sparked a discussion in which students asked questions during an informal discussion.  In addition, the young adults gained insight from photos taken of fishery biologists in the field. Many students were very interested in the STEP, SCEP, and volunteer programs.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife booth at the Career Expo was a great opportunity for the students to not only learn about the careers in the USFWS, but also how biologists help manage natural resources.