De Soto Middle and High School students took part in the inaugural Career Day event today, marking an exciting step toward shaping their futures. Organized by the school’s Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Committee, with the support of the staff, the event brought together local professionals from a wide range of industries to expose students to career possibilities across various fields.
The Career Day featured presentations from nearly 30 professionals, representing 21 different career options across all 16 career clusters recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Each professional was stationed in a classroom and led four, 35-minute presentations. Students had the opportunity to select which sessions they were most interested in attending, allowing them to explore careers that piqued their individual interests.
The event covered a broad spectrum of professions, from healthcare and engineering to arts, education, and technology, offering a comprehensive overview of career paths available to students. With 21 different career options presented throughout the building, the day was designed to give students a deeper understanding of various professions and help them make informed decisions about their futures.
Following the presentations, students were asked about the advice they found most valuable for their career journeys. Senior Haley reflected on a key takeaway: “I learned that you have to keep going and keep trying because you will always get somewhere.” This sentiment highlighted the importance of perseverance, a theme echoed by many students throughout the day.
When asked about the importance of Career Day for students, Senior Harris shared, “It’s very important. It’s also a great event to kickstart career ideas for students.” The hands-on exposure to professionals allowed students to connect real-world experiences with their academic goals, which many found enlightening.
For Senior Kyrie, the event helped solidify her future aspirations. “Yes, I feel more confident about my future career path after attending Career Day,” she said. “I got to talk to a person in the counseling and therapy field, which is very similar to what I want to go into. I also got to talk to people about going to school for art.” The personal connections made during the event seemed to provide invaluable insight and clarity for many students about their potential career paths.
The event was a resounding success, with students, teachers, and professionals alike expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about career exploration. This initiative, led by the ACP Committee, has set a strong foundation for future Career Days, ensuring that De Soto students will continue to have access to valuable career guidance as they navigate their academic and professional futures.
