Newark High School hosted a Career & Trades Fair for grades 8-12 students May 18th to showcase many incredible opportunities that exist for students after they graduate _ and even some mentoring opportunities before they do.
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Julia Solan, Director of Family and Community Engagement for the Newark Central School District, who organized the event with NHS School Counselor Cathryn Hugunine, noted some of the participating agencies and businesses apprised students of internship opportunities they could avail themselves of during their high school career.
Participating vendors included those from military & law enforcement, mental health agencies, nursing and banking to Wayne County Water & Sewer agency and G.W. Lisk.
“The Department of Labor was there with virtual reality glasses through which students could engage in hands-on learning about various trades. One NHS sophomore was able to participate in a culinary experience via the VR headset,” Solan said. “We had such a wide range of vendors that it truly gave students a well-rounded experience. They could visit the career & trades fair during study halls and lunch time and teachers also could bring their classrooms down as well. Students were given BINGO Boards that had specific questions on them they could ask employers to engage in meaningful conversations specific to their fields. There were also resume builders and tips for students to take as well as they prepare to apply for jobs and/or college!
“The Career & Trades Fair aligns to the Portrait of a Graduate to help support our students be reflective and future focused. Engaging in self-reflection through the career & trades fair helps students identify their strengths, their goals and contemplate what they want their life to look like after high school,” she continued. “It also aligns with our NCSD Strategic Plan by creating meaningful partnerships between schools, families, local businesses, trade organizations, and community members to support student growth and future success. By connecting students with professionals from a variety of career pathways, the fair helps build a collaborative community focused on preparing students for life beyond graduation.
“This was a great opportunity for students_ even as young as 8th grader from Newark Middle School _ to begin thinking about their futures,” Solan said. “When I think back to my own high school experience, I had no idea what I wanted to do, and many students feel the same way at this age. Working with Caty to organize an event like this gives students the chance to start exploring possibilities and asking important questions: Maybe I want to pursue nursing. Is law enforcement the right fit for me? Or maybe I just discovered a trade I had never considered before and now want to learn about it more. Experiences like this help open doors and expand students’ thinking about what is possible after high school.”