How To Plan a Successful HS Career Day
Maximizing the Experience of Occupational Options After High School
Nov 21, 2008
An effective high school “Career Day” gives students exposure to possible careers they may have considered as well as offering new career choices. Early planning ensures a complete slate of speakers and representatives and gives students the opportunity to select those sessions that are in line with prospective individual career options. Collaboration with local businesses and the community college ensures a successful Career Day.
Planning the Event
If Career Day goals are to be taken seriously, the event should encompass an entire day. An ideal event hosts three morning sessions and two afternoon sessions, broken apart by lunch periods. Lunch periods can be alternated if the facility cannot satisfy every attendee at the same time. Thus, some students might have two morning sessions, followed by lunch, and three afternoon sessions. One advantage of an all-day event is that speakers can continue to share with students on a more informal basis during lunches.
Event planners should create a list of career options to be highlighted during the sessions. Community college input during this phase can be very beneficial. Students not seeking a four year degree program might be interested in 2-year associate's degree programs or special licensing for some career options. Special emphasis should be given to showcasing medical, educational, and service-based careers, all of which are in significant demand.
Planners should be creative in their selections. For example, good gemologists are in high demand and earn top dollar. The same can be said for watch repair, appraisers, and chefs. A session on e-commerce, such as an e-Bay store, might also be appealing. Career Day should never be focused solely on career opportunities relative to a BA degree or graduate work as many students may opt not to take that route. If, however, a goal of Career Day is to facilitate higher numbers of college applications, then career option choices should reflect that goal.
Another area to tap involves school alumni. Graduates are some of the best people to have share and motivate, because they are stakeholders in the institution. Schools that maintain thriving alumni associations can call upon a sea of talent when organizing representative career options.
Facilitating the Event
Students should be given pre-event lists of available sessions to attend and rank them in order of personal preference. It is important to disclaim that not all first and second choices will be honored if too many students list the same options. If, however, there is a tremendous interest in Veterinary Science, for example, it might be helpful to invite two representatives from that field and run concurrent sessions in order to accommodate interest.
Area businesses, churches, and the school PTA should be asked to support the event with food donations (hospitality) or cash to be used as stipends for the invited representatives. Career Day may also result in new community partnerships as relationships are formed with speakers and the organizations they represent.
Student feedback is also important. Planners should develop a brief but concise feedback instrument that addresses whether specific goals related to the event were met.
Facilitating a successful Career Day involves early planning and entails work. A special committee should be created in order to address every aspect of an event that offers tremendous benefits to students about to enter a society of ever increasing unemployment. Career Day should a beacon of hope and opportunity for every student, whether he is planning to pursue college or go right into the workforce after graduation.
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