An annual event, Career Day is a collaborative effort of the Pine Valley Junior-Senior High School Counseling Department and a variety of area employers. Students in seventh through 12th grades attended presentations led by representatives from the local health care, agriculture, education, manufacturing/trades, creative, and other sectors.

All students were surveyed ahead of Career Day in an effort to match them with the employment prospects that best suit their interests. Of the 19 separate presentations, all students were able to attend four 20-minute immersive sessions. They met firefighters, teachers, police officers, a tattoo artist/graphic designer, nurses, construction workers and other professionals.

“We want to show a wide variety of career opportunities to our students to expand their horizons and encourage them to pursue a great career after they graduate,” said school counselor Kaylee Volpe.

Agencies, organizations, and businesses who partnered with Pine Valley for Career Day include: Excelsior Orthopaedics, Chautauqua Fish Hatchery of the Department of Environmental Conservation, Walgreens, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the South Dayton Volunteer Fire Department, the New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Troopers and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department, the Heritage Group, and the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy.

Pine Valley students listen to a presentation by a tattoo artist during the school’s recent Career Day.

In addition, individuals involved in agriculture, construction and education provided their perspectives on work experience and opportunities. All of the Career Day presentations included a chance to ask questions.

Senior Breelle Stauffer’s favorite session was led by Mike Pietrkiewicz of the Cassadaga Job Corps.

“I was feeling nervous about my future and now I’ve realized I actually have a lot more options than I thought,” says Breelle. “I don’t have to go to college to find a job that will support me. There’s a lot of options and services.”

Student Megan Abbey enjoyed the tattoo/graphic design session led by Eric Borawski of Cowpok Piercings and Tattoos.

“Every career will take skill and improvement,” notes Megan on what she learned from the sessions.

Pine Valley students are pictured during an Erie-2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES CDL presentation.

Student Owen Reynolds found the law enforcement session inspiring. He liked “learning about what other people have to work through.”

“My favorite part was asking questions about their own experiences and looking at the things they brought in,” said Addison Lyndsley, who favored the CHQ Fish Hatchery presentation.

Hands-on activities and demonstrations were featured, including a chance to explore a tractor-trailer inside and out. Students expressed curiosity about workplace culture, wages, and what a typical day’s duties entails. They asked the presenters about their motivation in pursuing their different careers as well as what sort of education and training is required for different jobs.

The district is grateful to all who collaborated to share their expertise and make this experience possible for the students.

“Career Day allows our students to get a lot of firsthand points of view and knowledge about different pathways across a diverse range of professions,” says school counselor Stacy Chase. “And seeing our community and our district working together is a great example of professionalism for our students to witness. We all want our students to be successful.”