Column | School Views: It’s not Shark Week, it’s Work Week!
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While Colorado isn’t known for its shark population, it is time for us to prepare ourselves for Eagle County’s annual “It’s Not Shark Week … It’s Work Week.” This event brings together Eagle County School District students, local businesses and our valley’s workforce partners with the shared mission of building connections and opening doors.
The event’s name sparked from its initial overlap with the Discovery Channel’s iconic “Shark Week.” What started as a playful coincidence quickly evolved into a full-fledged theme. Our team of organizers embraced the idea wholeheartedly, and leaned into the motif with shark-themed pins, stickers, puns and even going so far as to have a “real” shark at the door to greet attendees and build excitement around the opportunities within.
The lighthearted twist that makes the event memorable and approachable is now in its fourth year, It’s Not Shark Week … It’s Work Week has quickly become a cornerstone event for career exploration and local hiring in our community. Hosted through a collaborative effort between Eagle County School District, Colorado Workforce, Vail Valley Partnership, and Youth Power, this job fair is designed to serve job seekers and employers. As the team likes to say, it’s pretty “jaws-ome.”
But beyond the fun branding lies a meaningful opportunity for the entire community. One of the most exciting aspects of Work Week for me is its strong focus on students. Eagle County School District actively promotes the event to middle school and high school students, encouraging them to attend and take advantage of this real-world experience. For many of our students, this event may be their first introduction to the professional world and we provide a supportive environment to take that important step.
Students as young as 14 are invited to participate, giving them a chance to present their newly created or recently updated resumes and practice essential interpersonal skills. From building confidence to improving communication and listening abilities, the benefits extend far beyond the event itself. These are foundational skills that will serve students throughout their academic and professional journeys.
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Work Week also aligns closely with students’ Individual Career and Academic Planning efforts, helping them explore potential career paths and better understand the opportunities available within their own community. It’s one thing to learn about careers in a classroom setting; it’s another to speak directly with professionals, ask questions, and begin to envision a future in those roles.
This year’s Work Week will feature two events: Tuesday, April 7, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the Gypsum Recreation Center, and Thursday, April 9, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the Edwards Fieldhouse.
For local employers, Work Week offers a unique chance to connect directly with a diverse pool of potential hires. Whether businesses are seeking seasonal staff, part-time help, or long-term employees, the event provides a no-cost platform to showcase opportunities and meet motivated individuals face-to-face. In a time when hiring can be both competitive and challenging, this kind of direct engagement is invaluable.
For job seekers, the event is equally beneficial. While formal interviews don’t take place on-site, the connections made during Work Week often serve as the first step toward employment. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, learn about different industries, and gain a clearer sense of what local businesses are looking for.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our strong community partnerships. The enthusiasm surrounding Work Week continues to grow each year, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not just a job fair. It’s a celebration of opportunity, connection and community spirit. It’s a place where a student might discover a future career, where a business might find its next great employee and where relationships are built that strengthen the local economy as a whole.
So whether you’re a business owner looking to hire, a student exploring your first job, or someone seeking a new opportunity, Work Week is an event worth attending. If you’re a local business interested in having a booth at the event, please email me (shannon.grant@eagleschools.net) as remaining spaces are going fast.
Shannon Grant is the postsecondary learning and career readiness director for the Eagle County School District.
