7th Annual MDUSD Career Education Fair at Concord HS shows high school students variety of options after graduation

Students from all District high schools had the opportunity to meet with representatives from nearly 50 organizations offering training and career opportunities during the 7th annual Career Education Fair at Concord High School on Oct. 16th. The MDUSD Career Pathways Program event, organized in partnership with Concord HS College and Career Advisor Sheila Bergum, highlighted many options that don't necessarily require 4-year college degrees, but offer training, high salaries, excellent benefits. These included unions for carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other trades that offer apprenticeship programs; Mt. Diablo Adult Education and community colleges; the U.S. military; local law enforcement; and public services agencies.

"Not all students are going to go directly to college," said Heather Fontanilla, MDUSD Director of College and Career Readiness, explaining that the fair exposes them to what else is out there. She said news reports have recently noted that plumbers and HVAC techs can become millionaires, showing the value of skilled trades. The District's 21 high school Career Pathways programs also help to expose students to a variety of career fields including healthcare, digital arts, engineering, culinary arts, and hospitality, she added.

Students from other schools were bused to the fair and given time to browse the career booths, ask questions, and sign up for more information, along with Concord HS students. Concord HS senior Nicholas Gutlalenko said he really enjoyed finding out about healthcare careers such as becoming a medical assistant at the Kaiser booth. His classmate Rosh Well, a junior, said he appreciated the fair because he hasn't yet decided what kind of career he wants to pursue and it was interesting to see the variety of options available. He said he might consider sports medicine, since he is an athlete and his mother is a nurse.

A few organizations also offered hands-on experiences. Outside the gym, students were able to try on Contra Costa firefighters' gear and sit in a fire engine, or operate an excavator while they learned about careers as Operating Engineers from the Local 3 union. Contra Costa Fire Captain Denis Ware told students firefighting pays well and provides a lot of camaraderie. "I love it," he said, adding that he enjoyed speaking to students about his career because a lot of people don't consider firefighting unless they have relatives in the field. College Park HS senior Dante Nishizawa, who tried on some firefighting gear, said he is interested in becoming a firefighter. "I think I'd enjoy it," he said. Meanwhile, Operating Engineers Local 3 Apprenticeship Coordinator Richie Dominguez was showing students how to operate the excavator and telling them the benefits of joining his field. The starting salary is $32.87 per hour and goes up based on years of experience. The job includes family medical coverage and a pension after retirement. He currently oversees 120 apprentices, including 13 women, he said proudly. "They are our future," he said, adding that the fair gives organizations like his the opportunity to recruit the next generation of equipment operators.

Anna Ramos, manager of youth development and support services, praised Bergum for continuing to spearhead the event she started several years ago. "It's been really beneficial to a lot of the students," Ramos said, adding that some of the most popular booths were PG&E, the U.S. Army, Pacific States Aviation, and Operating Engineers.

Each year, the organizers try to improve the fair, she said. This year, they included students from all the District's alternative high school programs and provided sign-up sheets to follow up with students who are interested in specific organizations. The District will offer a similar career fair to 8th-graders in January.

Click on the reel below to see more highlights from the event.