NMHS students to explore career options at expo

By Deborah Rose

NEW MILFORD, Conn. — New Milford High School students will get an introduction to a variety of career options today.

The Thursday, April 24 event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is coordinated by the school’s Pathway to Careers program.

“This is important for all students so they can explore their career aspirations,” said Assistant Principal and New Milford Pathways Program Administrator Megan Dwyer.

More than 100 businesses were contacted to participate. Careers in medicine, construction, and finance are among those that can be explored at the event. 

“Whether it’s an entrepreneur or a business owner, we want to provide our students with ways where they can see themselves actually applying the things they want to do in college,” said NMHS Principal Ray Manka.

“The intent of career fair is to introduce kids to different vendors and folks from all over the place – the fire department, police department, aviation schools, etc. – everything that has to do with opportunities where they can meet, greet, speak to, and network,” Manka said. “We want them to have a feel for what it’s like shopping for a job.”

Two students recently expressed their interest in the expo to Dwyer. They said they want to have the exposure of such an event to “go shake hands with someone, potentially line up an interview,” and pick up valuable literature. 

“That’s the stuff right there we want to see, “ Dwyer said. “They had good reasoning and they want to come to see these businesses and partnerships we’re bringing.”

She described their inquiry as a “powerful moment.” 

The Pathway to Careers Program was created a few years ago with the goal of bridging the gap between high school and career exploration. It encourages students to discover career interests during their high school career so they can build connections with potential future employers, and make informed decisions about their future. 

Students work with counselors and the Pathway coordinator, choose a career pathway of interest, enroll in pathway specific courses, and obtain short, work-based learning experiences with businesses in the community.

There are five main pathway categories – business and finance, engineering and technology, healthcare and sciences, social sciences, and vocational – all of which include theme-based academic courses.

Students can enroll in classes such as accounting, marketing, architectural, programming and software development, health science, biomedical pathway, criminal justice, forensic psychology, psychology, carpentry and construction, and early childhood education. 

“It exposes them to classes and experiential learning,” Manka said.

He related the importance of a student sampling courses throughout their high school career because it helps prepare them for real-world experiences. 

Students who choose a career pathway have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience at local businesses related to their pathway. Students are paired with local businesses for short, unpaid immersions.

Partnerships are about 20 hours, consisting of four hours each day for one week. 

Nearly 50 partners have teamed up with NMHS for work experience. Among them, Nuvance Health, New Milford Hospital, Village Crest Center for Health & Rehabilitation, Western Connecticut State University, and Ives Bank.