Preston Rieken has his own special reason for taking interest in the Career Day at Riverland Community College on Wednesday.

For the Blooming Prairie High School junior, a career in health care is a way to address his own eye condition.

“I have keratoconus,” he said while touring the Allied Health Simulation Lab, on the west campus of RCC. The condition thins the cornea; in the worst cases, cornea transplants are required.

Rieken, 16, says that’s why he has a high interest in a health care career.

“Especially in optics; I want to go into anything having to do with optics,” he said.

Rieken joined over 1,000 students from 15 high schools who attended the Career Fair on both campuses of the college.

The Career Day-College Fair was revamped this year to include many interactive activities and demonstrations.

The medical simulation lab was a popular place. Students were able to not only watch simulated care of patients, they were able to put on the stethoscope and heart rhythm, or practice giving an injections.

“I like it because it’s hands-on,” said Sidney Blair, 16, a junior from Blue Earth Area Schools. “It’s interesting.”

Jackson Hollund, 16, a junior from Austin High School, said he was particularly interested in the lab, too.

“I want to be a nurse,” he explained, as Angela Bolin took his blood pressure.

“You must be a little nervous,” said Bolin, taking off the cuff, noting his pressure that was a bit elevated.

“A little,” he said with a grin.

Engagement was the buzz word of the day, with many simulations and interactive areas offered to students. They could participate in driving a combine simulator in the ag center, and visit work-out stations in the physical education area. Others could observe a crime scene (criminal justice area) and compete in a screw gun contest in building trades.