November 15, 2024
N.B. Clements Junior High School's gymnasium was buzzing with activity as the school held its annual career fair event on Friday, November 15, 2024, a chance for the school's ninth graders to connect with local and regional employers to learn more about potential career paths available for them once they complete high school in a few years.
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A recurrent event dating back at least 20 years, the career fair returned a few years ago following a brief pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has resumed stronger than ever, drawing nearly 40 participants across almost two dozen stations in the gym. Students traveled throughout the gym collecting materials and asking questions of the presenters, learning more about what skills and training they may need to pursue a career in the field. During the mid-day fair, local agencies like Prince George County economic development, fire and EMS, and the police department joined a diverse selection of regional organizations, including the National Weather Service - Wakefield, VCU LifeEvac Critical Care Transport, Homebase Credit Union, and others spanning a host of career pathways.
"Hosting this fair at the freshman level with our ninth graders provides them the opportunity to not only be exposed to the various occupations and career fields out there but also will enable them to plan the courses they wish to take throughout high school in whatever field they choose," Dr. Steven Bhatt, N.B. Clements Junior High School's Director of School Counseling said. "It will also serve to reinforce to students the importance of subjects they may not see the importance of. They may wonder how math or science relates to life after high school, and many presenters will share how these subjects are integral to their fields."
N.B. Clements Junior High School students learn about the tools of the trade for local firefighters during the school’s career day event on Friday, November 15, 2024. (PGCPS Photo)
Unique, interactive experiences for the students at the event's various stations are a strategic fixture of the annual career fair event. During the two-hour experience, students could climb aboard a Prince George County Fire and EMS fire engine, guided by local first responders who shared their expertise. They even got to take the wheel and sound the horns and sirens. Inside, firefighters showcased their essential tools, including their protective turnout gear, to help students learn about their use in an emergency.
"Students remember more of what they do and interact with in hands-on experiences rather than just from listening and hearing someone talk about it or reading it in a book," Dr. Bhatt said. "This first-hand experience enables students to see what it is like to work in these fields from the professionals' perspective."
The ninth-grade career fair is just one in a series of steps throughout the secondary level for students at Prince George County Public Schools, with exposure to career and technical education experiences beginning as early as elementary school through initiatives like Technology Field Day, an advanced technology showcase for fifth graders hosted yearly at each PGCPS elementary school. As the students transition into the sixth grade, their experiences and exposure to CTE concepts only increase.
Director of Economic Development & Tourism for Prince George County Yoti Jabri explains how the county uses GIS mapping in development planning during N.B. Clements Junior High School's career fair. (PGCPS Photo)
"As these students go through the different grade levels from middle school to junior high to high school, they get more and more opportunities to participate in career and technical education fields," Dr. Bhatt said. "These different opportunities will help guide and prepare them for various fields of interest."
He continued, "One of our students, having come through the career fair as a ninth grader many years ago, went on to take CTE courses at the high school and is now a flight paramedic with VCU Health, and she has previously returned on several occasions. We have another former Clements student who now works for Prince George County and utilizes the career fair to attend as a presenter after following the CTE pathway through Prince George High School."
Observing the event, N.B. Clements Junior High School principal Mr. Matt Weston spoke with both presenters and students, gleaning information from each about their takeaways from the career fair. For Mr. Weston, the value of this event is two-fold in building the next-generation workforce in Prince George County.
N.B. Clements Junior High School students chat with a representative from VCU’s Center for Trauma and Critical Care Education about the life of paramedics and the training required to pursue a career in the field. (PGCPS Photo)
"First, the students at this age are getting ready to start looking for part-time jobs, so allowing them to connect with local employers from different businesses in the area will give them linkages to figure out how to work through those first job opportunities in the future," Mr. Weston said. "We also serve as the transition for our ninth graders to the high school where they can start reaching out to places like Brightpoint Community College and Richard Bland College, and Rowanty Technical Center for trades, and they can start picking some of those niches. Sometimes, seeing and meeting professionals, interacting with their equipment, and asking questions can allow them to pick the careers they are interested in before they start classes."
The event's success highlights the value of strong community roots, with the career fair drawing dozens of presenters each year, for which Dr. Bhatt and Mr. Weston are immensely thankful.
"It's great to see the community interaction with our students during the career fair with our stakeholders," Dr. Bhatt said. "It is phenomenal to have the professionals in this area see what Prince George is all about and learn about the fantastic amount of opportunities and terrific children in our schools. It enables the students and community to gain a first-hand perspective of our school community."
"It's incredible to have this support, and anytime we can get our community involved and come inside our building, it makes the kids see this space as more of a community building," Mr. Weston said. "Anytime we can have our businesses, guest speakers, dignitaries, and others visit Clements, be it for a specific class or school-wide event like the career fair, the kids always get excited about it."
Nearly two dozen participants filled the N.B. Clements Junior High School gymnasium for the school’s annual career fair on Friday, November 15, 2024. (PGCPS Photo)
Thank you to the following participants: National Weather Service - Wakefield, Mr. Fix It, Cavalier Moving, Homebase Credit Union, Richard Bland College, Prince George Fire & EMS, VCU LifeEvac Critical Care Transport, Prince George Economic Development, Prince George Police, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, NUCOR Insulated Panel, WorkBright, The Luck Group, VCU Paramedic Program, Fort Gregg-Adams - Power Generation, Got Your Six Counseling, Rowanty Technical Center, eXp Realty Group, Arlington County, Virginia Department of Aviation, Boys to Men Mentoring.