This past Tuesday, we asked all of our eighth-graders to begin the process of making informed choices. It was election day, of course, but it was also our annual Eighth Grade Career Fair, where more than 3,700 students learned about hundreds of different career options. This annual event was designed by our incredible DPS Counseling Team in the Office of College and Career Readiness and showcasing careers and companies here in Colorado.
It's one of my favorite events of the year -- watching wide-eyed middle school students approach business leaders and education professionals and ask questions like, "What do you like about your job?" and "How much money would I make starting out?"
As educators, we recognize that early exposure to careers is key. In fact, in the nine years since our counseling team first began this annual event, we have received feedback from seniors that this specific event and the intentional career and college planning that follows throughout their DPS journey helped them see what's possible for their futures.
"It's fun talking to companies and learning about all the jobs out there," shared an eighth-grade student this week.
Starting these conversations early gives our students and their schools more time to plan out coursework, activities and work-based learning opportunities that align with each student's career and college goals, translating to a stronger likelihood of success.
"The Eighth Grade Career Fair allows students at an early age to begin planning their future and setting long- and short-term goals," said Miriam Linden, our DPS counseling coordinator who leads the event. "When students can begin to see the career possibilities that exist, then they can begin to make connections between their education and how it directly correlates to their career goals."
"We want our students to leave us with choices for their futures, rooted in what interests them most. Today, on election day, adults get the opportunity to elect their futures. Today at our career fair, our students get to begin to elect their future career paths," said Nicole Veltzé, Assistant Superintendent, Division of Secondary Education.
Thank you, DPS counselors, educators, higher-education institutions, community members and volunteers for making meaningful opportunities like our career fair possible for our students. Because of this collaboration, our students can see new ideas and feel supported to forge ahead.
Being ready for college and career is one of our Denver Plan Goals and we know that getting kids inspired about what comes after high school is critical. Many of our students will be first-generation college students and with the Eighth Grade Career Fair, we are giving all of our students early exposure to high-paying careers and empowering them with information about how to be on a path to success.
