Students at Brooke Elementary stepped beyond the classroom and into the working world during an engaging career fair held at the school last week. The event gave students the opportunity to speak directly with professionals from a variety of fields, helping them better understand the many paths a future career can take.
"A clear theme is that in-person conversations help students better understand careers and explore paths that match their interests and passions," said Lisa Chapieski, Delta School District Coordinator Student Options & Opportunities. "Students hear real experiences, learn what jobs are truly like, how to get there, and see that there are many ways to succeed. This kind of learning can't come from online research alone. Starting early helps break stereotypes and expand possibilities. I'm incredibly grateful to the organizer of this event, Kira Cividino, student teacher at Brooke Elementary."
Feedback following the event showed just how impactful the experience was, with students, employers, and staff all benefiting from the opportunity to connect.
"I enjoyed learning about the different paths people took and how they found their way to jobs they enjoy," said Ajuni, student. "I liked learning about the courses they had to take and how long they were in school. I was surprised to learn that some professions, like plumbing, can have their schooling paid for by employers."
For Daneen, the nursing table left a lasting impression. "It was the most valuable to me because I dream of becoming a cardiologist. Hearing nurses talk about their lifestyle, patients, appointments, and surgeries was inspirational. It was very educational, and I learned about careers I didn't even know existed. It was inspiring to hear people talk about what they love."
Students especially appreciated learning about the journey behind each profession. "It was cool learning about all the careers and hearing how people got started," said Dax. "There are so many different jobs, and it showed that you can find something you enjoy while still making a good living. Also, it was fascinating to see that careers can be approached in different ways and have different requirements. It's about matching your interests and goals. Firefighting stood out to me because I like helping people and the environment, and I'm very active. I want to do work that I enjoy."
Employers also found the experience rewarding. "This was a great opportunity to talk with kids," said electrician and business owner Brett Irving. "They were curious about my job and what it's like to own a business. I shared aspects of being an electrician they may not have considered. I chose my career after Take Your Kid to Work Day, because seeing a job in person and talking to someone doing it is better than just reading about it online. I was happy to be involved and help students learn more about this path."
Hairdresser Emma Cirillo echoed that sentiment. "I don't often get the chance to share what I do while I'm busy creating," she said. "Students don't often get to ask adults about their work, so events like this allow professionals to share what they love and how they earn a living doing it. The students asked great questions and were genuinely interested in learning about my job."
Pilot Alex Kuhn knows firsthand how influential career events can be. "A career day in high school helped me decide I wanted to become a pilot," he said. "You can read about jobs online, but speaking with someone in person gives a different perspective. This career fair gave students a chance to explore options they're curious about, without judgement or pressure."
"I decided to host the career fair because I believe the best way to find out if you enjoy something is by doing it. However, since this is not an option for many jobs, I thought the next best approach would be to invite professionals working in these careers to speak. It was important for me to show students that there are many different post-secondary options and that going to university is not the only path to success," said Kira Cividino.
By bringing real-world experiences into the school, Kira has helped to inspire students and enable them to see that their future is full of possibility, and that there's no single path to success.
