Marble Falls High School Career Day connects business, future workers

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

The Highlander

Representatives from business and organizations in the region networked with the workforce of the future during Career Day at Marble Falls High School on Thursday, April 7.

“Many of the representatives are from local businesses, which is remarkable,” said Wes Cunningham, Ph.D., assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

The gym was filled with students (juniors and seniors) and tables of 36 employers in arts and humanities, business and industry, public service, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) categories. Students can choose any of the four areas as an “endorsement,” or targeted career pathway.

Junior Amber Holley is heading toward a career in a science-related field.

“It’s nice to have this chance to check out different things,” she said. Holley said she learned much from a microbiologist at one of the tables. “He set out a pathway that would let me work with animals, which is what I really want to do,” she said.

For another student, it was a packet of papers handed to him when he walked in the door that impressed him.

“The list of jobs and salaries was helpful, especially for students who are not quite sure what they want to do yet,” said junior Dawson Atwood.

Through the district’s career and technology education (CTE) program of career pathways, students who might not be college-bound become career-bound instead.

The two nurses at the Baylor Scott and White Health table talked with many students already taking health and science technology classes.

“We’ve been staying busy,” said Shannon Firewood, RN. “It’s good to have this chance to talk with students about what it’s like to be a nurse, and the education that’s required to get there.”