For many students, the future can feel like a big question mark—but at the Junior High Career Fair, the question begins to take shape. From pediatric oncologists to SWAT teams (and everything in between), sixth, seventh and eighth grade students took turns spending a period in the gym to better understand the paths life may take them down.
“The idea of a career affair [is] being able to show students what’s available to them,” Academic Advisor Mr. Daryl Trowbridge said. “A lot of students may not understand what’s out there, and to see professionals talk about their specific careers can broaden students’ horizons and let them see possibilities that they may not see otherwise.”
While traversing the various stands and booths, the diversity of jobs and specialties is immediately apparent, and passionate explanations act as a testament to the fact that anybody can find something they love to do.
At the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office’s table, officer Roberto De La Nuez showed students a variety of tactical gear including kevlar vests and helmets. He is part of the department’s Special Response team, its version of SWAT.
“Anything a normal patrol officer can’t handle, we come in and we handle it with, like, the utmost care to ensure that there’s a positive outcome…we’re tasked with executing high value search warrants, hostage rescue. any canine searches, and other high risk, critical operations. We’re just excited to be here today and show people that this is an option,” De La Nuez said.
As the first bell rings, students flood the gym and noise begins to swell with excited chatter. Accompanied by small plastic bags containing bingo cards with questions to ask and small yellow #2 pencils, a first group of Seventh graders are now armed and ready for their own kind of operation. Officer De La Nuez quickly jumps into conversation with a small, yet captivated audience.
“The people I spoke to have convinced me to consider [their careers], because there are so many aspects about how much there is to learn and how much you can benefit from different specialties,” seventh grader Daniella Jones said.
However, working professionals were not the only ones present at the event. Students from the various American Heritage Pre-Professional Programs also had tables.
“What’s so great about the Pre-Law program is that it can be so easily applied to your life in whatever you want to do. The special thing about the program is that you take so many different classes and they prepare you so well for whatever it is you may choose to pursue,” Pre-Law student and 11th grader Stella Agratchev said.
