Students taking part in a career readiness activity at the Workforce Center.

Meet our Career Navigators

The team connecting students with careers across Fairfield County.

As a part of our commitment to preparing Fairfield County students for their futures, we are proud to work closely with Career Navigators who go out to schools, community events, and more to connect with students directly. Career Navigators are responsible for conducting outreach to our educational partners and connecting with students to help them explore their career options. Keep reading to learn more about the wonderful Career Navigators on our team and what they’re doing to support career readiness in our community.

Karie Stone, Fairfield County Workforce Specialist

Karie Stone

Fairfield County Workforce Specialist · karie.stone@fairfieldcountyohio.gov

Karie Stone, a Lancaster and Fairfield County native has been working in education for the past 25 years. First as a classroom teacher at both the primary and secondary level, and now as a Workforce Specialist working with students for the Fairfield County Workforce Development Center’s pre apprenticeship programming.

Karie has been working with high school seniors throughout Fairfield County in career readiness and pre apprenticeship the last seven years with Fairfield County. Karie graduated from Ohio University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Science. She also earned her Master of Arts degree in Education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

She enjoys the connections she has made with the high school students and graduates she has worked with over the years. Karie values the relationships she has built with the local high schools, colleges and business partnerships she has developed over her time at the Fairfield County Workforce Development Center. Her greatest accomplishments she says are finding her students and graduates exceptional job opportunities and seeing their success after they graduate.

Julie Brunner, Career Navigator

Julie Brunner

jbrunner@fairfieldesc.org

Julie Brunner joined Career Navigator team after retiring from her 34-year long career as a high school teacher and high school counselor for Pickerington Schools. Julie earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Ohio University in 1989, and her Master's Degree in School Counseling from the University of Dayton in 1991. She worked at Pickerington High School Central as a school counselor for the last 24 years, so the position of Career Navigator lines up with her experience, training and skill set. Julie loves helping students investigate what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Julie works with students at Pickerington Central, Pickerington North, and Pickerington Academy. Along with being a Career Navigator, Julie helps take care of her one-year-old granddaughter.

Crista Blower

cblower@fairfieldesc.org

Crista Blower, an Ohio University Business Graduate, has lived in Fairfield County for more than 35 years. She has worked in secondary and postsecondary education for more than 20 years and has spent the last 15 years working in career and technical education serving Fairfield County students. For most people, talking about careers, marketable skills, certifications and educational pathways may not sound all that exciting but for Crista, it is her passion. Crista is currently a Career Navigator with the Fairfield County Workforce Center. In this position she is developing a hands-on career awareness program for students in grades K-8th. Crista works with students at both Thomas Ewing Junior High and General Sherman Junior High School.

Beth Mingyar

bmingyar@fairfieldesc.org

Beth Mingyar joined the Career Navigator team in 2023 and works with students at Liberty Union, Walnut Township, Fairfield Union, Amanda Clearcreek, and Bloom Carroll High Schools. After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in finance, Beth worked as a Learning and Development Professional in the financial services industry for 20+ years. Her focus was developing Manager coaching and business development skills. Beth and her husband Dennis have 2 sons. She enjoys Pilates, pickleball, and working out.