Provo High Students Share Career Day Takeaways

February 3rd, 2022 /
Spencer Tuinei /
CTE, News, Provo High, Schools, Secondary Schools

An assortment of local Cosmeticians, Firefighters, Morticians, Graphic Artists, Attorneys, and many other professionals touched down at Provo High School’s Career Day, January 28, 2022. Students took courses introducing students to a profession, listening to the day-to-day work that goes into their job, the highs and lows in their respective field, and the first steps students make to move towards their occupation. The amount of presenting professionals was astounding; I found myself asking what went into making a Career Day like this a reality. And, moreover, what the outcome of a Career Day is— what do students learn from candid discussions with working professionals? I looked to the Provo High counseling team and Provo High students for answers.

“There’s a lot of moving parts to organize so many working professionals,” Tells Candy Castillo, Provo High School’s Concurrent Coordinator. Candy and Provo High School’s counseling team reached out to Universities like UVU, who sent several accredited experts. Afterward, the counseling team contacted specialists in their community far and wide, personally and by word of mouth. “I even called my Real Estate agent to visit,” included Candy. Administrators, district employees, and even Honors students aided in setting up panels, directing speakers to their classes, and coordinating students to their chosen events.

Mrs. Castillo says she was busy through most of Career Day, but she got to slip into a few classes, noting that the students seemed genuinely interested– and from my visit, I thought so, too. Each class had students taking notes and asking questions they prepared for interviewers about the day-to-day events for specialists.

After peeking into a few seminars, I sought out students, inquiring if Career Day offered them profound insights into a given career or changed their outlook on post-secondary education tracks. “I enjoyed the architecture course. I learned that architecture shows up everywhere in our lives,” shared Lilly, a Provo High sophomore. “Architecture means structure– from city buildings to Kleenex boxes. I want to be a part of that.” Jenna, another Provo High sophomore, offered her sage takeaway. “Everybody’s path to their career is different. As long as you study and work in a field you enjoy, the money will follow.”