Career Day at Crestwood High School

Career Specialists, Vira James and Cicely McNeill of Crestwood High School brought 42 vendors together in the high school gymnasium last week to promote career awareness, exploration and preparation. It gave students the opportunity to learn more about the academics and skills required by businesses and industry for chosen career paths.

High School students were equipped with a questionnaire that helped aid them with questions one might ask if interested in a particular career. Some of the questions students asked venders included: What do you like most and least about this career, what high school courses will help prepare for this career, what strengths and personal qualities are needed to “fit” this career and what is the salary for this career?

An underclassman was overheard talking with the Eaton Corporation Human Resource personnel, “I want to do what you guys do” and “how much do you make?” Theresa Martin and Harriett Moore work for Victory Home Care Services on Bultman Drive and said they were surprised at some of the questions they were asked. Moore said, “One of the questions we keep hearing is—how old do we need to be to get a job?” Of course, that question was followed by, how much will we make? “It was interesting,” said Moore, “to hear the students ask, do we only take care of elderly, because people just generally assume it is the elderly we care for, but in actuality, it is anyone with a need.”

Many students were interested in the different colleges represented at Career Day. Crestwood High School Senior, Brandon Cagle, said, “I’ve already applied to Coastal Carolina, but I’m keeping my options open.” He thought career day was a success and described it as “amazing” because he got an opportunity to ask a lot of questions and really enjoyed talking with vendors about their college programs.

Brittaney Thomas already knew what she was doing after high school, but was excited to talk to the folks representing the U.S. Air-force. Brittaney is a member of the JR ROTC and is looking forward to enlisting in the Air-force and taking advantage of furthering her education while serving.

Margarita Bowen is like many seniors; she is interested in a lot of different careers. She said, “I’m interested in child-care, culinary arts, social services and photography. I talked to the social service vendors and some of the schools; it’s hard to pick one.” When asked about the responses of the vendors to students, Bowen stated, “I like the way they talk to us, the students. They seem to really care about our questions and are interested in us.”

That is what the career fair was all about. According to Career Specialists, James and McNeill, students who are still trying to make a choice between several careers or majors within a cluster of study that appeals to them could gain valuable knowledge from local business and industry leaders who participated in order to assist the students in determining academic instruction required for specific career paths, as well as informing them about specific skills required in their chosen career fields.

Toby Horton

toby@mysumterherald.com