On Wednesday, April 15, the sophomores at PCM High School went to the Iowa State Fairgrounds for the annual Build My Future Career Fair, a great opportunity for students to explore different career paths.
At the Career Fair, students toured everything from trades to healthcare, public service, and IT. “Students can chat with local businesses and try real-world activities,” said Morgan Donovan, the College and Career Counselor at PCM, who organized this opportunity, as well as attended the fair with the students. There were also opportunities to connect with colleges and training programs, emphasizing that there are many different paths after high school.
This trip was important for the students for many reasons, and had a clear purpose. Donovan explains, “The goal of attending Build My Future is to help students explore and experience different job opportunities to help them make informed decisions for their future.” Donovan continues, “This year, we decided to make it a requirement for all sophomores to attend because they will be entering their junior year soon, and it’s important for them to start thinking about their opportunities outside of high school.”
As students arrived, they collected a shirt, safety glasses, and gloves. They were also required to view a safety video prior to attending. “This career fair was unlike any other I’ve attended. Students had the opportunity to work with their hands by replacing window frames, welding, painting bird houses, frame doors, and so much more,” said Brooke Grett, a faculty member of PCM who also attended. She continues, “It was great to see students interacting with professionals in this way.”
This marks the second year that the PCM students have attended the event. Reflecting on the experience, Donovan states, “I really enjoy the students at PCM and their willingness to learn more about their future after high school.” By the end of their trip, the Build My Future Career Fair gave the sophomores a better sense of the endless possibilities after high school.
