When two students from Metro Nashville wrote essays back in 2015 about their career path, who knew that they would be recognized by the Nashville School Board.
Last year, Metro Public School freshmen took part in the "My Future, My Way Career Exploration Fair." Students were given a chance to visit company displays by Tennessee employers and they were able to take part in career talks by teachers, police officers, firefighters, IT technicians and health workers on a one-one-one basis. Freshmen students were able to learn what is required to pursue that kind of job in that type of industry.
After the fair, students were required to write a short essay on their experiences on the different professions they have witnessed.
Two winning essays were awarded with notice. The Metro School Board recognized the student writers earlier this week.
Students Lindsey Dao from John Overton High and Nolan Carrasquillo from Antioch High School were given recognition. Dao wrote about her desire to work in the health care industry and Carrasquillo took home the learning that a profession needs passion, hard work and persistence.
Though both teenagers had discussions with prospective employers, they figured that these companies were not the best fit for them. Dao explained that though she may find an IT career profitable, she felt that it was not the path for her. This is a good sign of finding the right path for students at an early age. The career fair was meant to ready the students for the future and make them think about what they want to pursue that would most likely narrow down to their passions.
Thousands of students like Dao and Carrasquillo are thinking about their future even though they haven't finished high school yet. Have you already had this discussion with your children or students?
