High school students from Middlesex County learned all about career opportunities right here at home Tuesday when they went to Wesleyan University.
The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce's Business and Education Partnership Advisory Council, the Middlesex Consortium of Schools and Wesleyan University's Jewett Center for Community Partnerships held the 13th Annual Career Expo on Tuesday.
More than 280 career professionals were on hand to share career experiences with the students. The event was fun, but also provided high school students with an opportunity to explore potential careers.
“Your children come here to experience all the careers that they have available to them and to try whatever they are interested in,” Thomas Serra, the chairperson of the Business Education Committee of Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, said.
There were professionals in everything from manufacturing to medicine and even jobs serving our country.Most of the 1,500 students attending were sophomores and juniors from Middlesex County high schools and they learned about all kinds of Connecticut jobs. Professionals even held mock interviews to help students with their interview skills.
“I think this career expo tells you that these jobs are all nearby. You can try anything and it is right in Connecticut,” Andrew David, an 11th-grade student at Cromwell High School, said.
Students received real-life experience and advice and some seniors were given opportunities for internships or jobs straight out of school.
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“It shows there are good times ahead for our state. And look at these kids that are coming here and how important that is to our economy. It's showing them what is available to have them stay in our state,” John Maloney, the superintendent of Cromwell Schools, said.
The career fair was possible with the help of Eversource Energy, Pratt & Whitney and Wesleyan University's Jewett Center for Community Partnerships.
Students said the day gave them hope for the future.
“Out of all of this I am hoping to find a career for me,” Odajah Gordon, an 11th-grade student at Cromwell High School, said.
