Britney Jackson received some job-interviewing tips.
Porter Wilder wanted nothing more than an opportunity to get a foot in the door.
Josh Cozby got an actual job offer.
It was all part of the first-ever Reverse Job Fair hosted by Manteca Unified’s be.tech Charter High School on Friday.
Business and community members, in this case, had a chance to meet with graduating seniors in the free career academy program consisting of culinary arts, industrial fabrication, first responders and software design.
Jackson is in the culinary arts program, with Chef Andrew Griggs being one of her instructors.
She had her personal portfolio along with an exhibit board listing her objectives and works from real life experiences in the work force and community.
Griggs said that students in his class, for example, picked up experience during the school year, doing volunteer work at places such as St. Mary’s Interfaith Dining Hall in Stockton or local businesses such as the Mangy Moose, Country Skillets, Chit Chat, and Mamas and The Tapas Café, to name a few.
His culinary arts students also catered the Reverse Job Fair morning affair.
“I got a lot of (interviewing) tips today,” said Jackson.
Wilder is in the first responders program.
As one with type one juvenile diabetes, he hopes of becoming a paramedic firefighter – that was part of his long-term goals, with his short-term aim being that of selling his 2002 Honda Civic with the bad transmission.
“I sold that car,” said Wilder, who recently picked up a more reliable 2010 Civic.
He’s volunteered as an Explorer for the Lathrop-Manteca Fire District and did some training in Lathrop, as well.
“I’m hoping that they get to know me (at the job fair) by face,” said Wilder, who, in addition, is involved with the SkillsUSA team.
Cozby, meanwhile, had at least one job offer early on at the Reverse Job Fair.
His work spoke for itself – coffee table centerpiece from an intertwined root tree and metal goblet crafted from a discarded camshaft.
A sheet metal business provided the job offer to Cozby, who has been enrolled in the be.tech industrial classes for the three years.
Some of his craft items were up for sale at the Crossroads Street Faire.
He believes his display of resourcefulness along with presentation and portfolio helped out at this first-ever event.
Cozby hoped that more folks – in particular, parents of incoming high school students – could stop by and see the many opportunities available at be.tech.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.