Jacob Falk’s first class of the day Tuesday found him looking forward to handling the controls of a backhoe.

He’s operated heavy equipment on his family’s farm near Enterprise, but most of the machines are older models.

“I’d like to see how the new equipment operates,” Jacob said as he waited in line at one of about 25 stations offering firsthand lessons related to careers for construction and utility workers.

“I’m also looking forward to running a crane,” he said as his gaze turned to the tall piece of equipment clearly visible at the other end of the lot where he was standing. “My dad worked with cranes and I think it would be very interesting.”

The 15-year-old Enterprise High School freshman was one of about 300 students from more than 20 Eastern Oregon schools who donned blue, red, green and yellow plastic hard hats upon arriving at the Oregon Department of Transportation Maintenance Station just north of Baker City for the 2017 Eastern Oregon Construction and Utilities Career Day. The students also were equipped with safety glasses and ear protection.

Jacob says he has his eye on a career in agriculture — maybe as an ag teacher or small business owner or even delving into the politics of agriculture.

He and his Wallowa County classmates left home at 6 a.m. to make it to the 9 o’clock opening of Tuesday’s event.

Students from Weiser, Idaho, had the advantage of the Mountain time zone, which is one hour ahead of Baker City time. Weiser juniors Daniel Calderon,16, and Markus Echeveste, 17, said they didn’t leave home until about 8:30 a.m. to make the 66-mile trip.

Daniel and Markus said their school counselor recommended the program to them and their Weiser classmates.

Both young men said they possibly would consider seeking jobs with the highway department after high school.

The decision to bring her students to the event for a second time was an easy one for Stephanie Schofield, Enterprise High ag teacher and FFA adviser, who attended last year’s event in Baker City as well. Schofield was one of 43 chaperones for the day.

“The kids loved it, loved it,” she said. “It is so hands-on.

“It’s hard for kids to know all the different jobs that are out there,” she said, adding that the career day gives them a front row seat and easy access to their instructors.

Baker Technical Institute teacher David Frazey added his support to the program as well.

“It is a great way of them getting some ideas of employment opportunities that they were probably never aware of,” he said. “They probably have seen these things, but never were aware of their applications.”

Jake McKinney, Andrew Adams and Jake Hall, three 15-year-old Baker High freshman, beamed with enthusiasm after directing a crane to move a concrete highway barrier from one spot to another.

The three agreed that operating heavy equipment would be a job they would enjoy after high school.

“It was really fun and they are really nice people,” Jake McKinney said of the crew who taught the students how to direct the crane’s massive boom.

Participants moved from station to station spread around four separate areas of the grounds in 45-minute shifts. The chance to operate chain saws, finish a concrete pad and direct a remote-control excavator used to clean culverts were among the experiences lined out for students during the day, said Tom Strandberg, ODOT public information officer.

See more in the April 26, 2017, issue of the Baker City Herald.