Important community and civic connections were reinforced at Minisink Valley High School’s first Career Fair on April 9, where more than 50 professionals spoke to students about the variety of career paths available to them.

The fields they represented were wide ranging and included: accounting, auto body, aviation, the building trades, broadcasting, business management, child care, clerical, communications, computer science, construction and cosmetology.

Fields also represented were: diagnostic imaging, diesel mechanics, education, electrical and HVAC, emergency medical services, engineering, event planning, excavation, finance, firefighting, hospitality management, human resources, information technology, legal, manufacturing, marketing, nursing, law enforcement, medical, the military, occupational therapy, orthodontics, performing arts and photography.

Other fields included: physical therapy, public service, publishing, real estate, restaurant and culinary arts, sports management and sports radio production, theater arts and set design and therapy.

“Our students picked your sessions because they wanted to hear what you had to say,” guidance counselor Brian Rosenberger, a member of the organizing committee, told speakers prior to the workshop sessions.   “Some know what they want to do. Most don’t know what they want to do.”

Explaining what ‘it takes’ to be who you want to be

The day was designed to offer students tips and tactics of what they would need to do in order to be successful in their future career of choice. Presenters spoke about education and skill requirements, job market outlook, typical workdays, work environment and salary ranges.

“There’s a big promotion of aviation now,” said Rob Slovitsky, a United Airlines Airbus 320/319 captain who flies out of LaGuardia and Newark airports.  “There’s a big shortage of pilots now, and we want to get younger people involved. The younger you are in this industry, the longer your career will be. Aviation is a seniority-based career. This can be a 40-year career and it’s a great career.”

His favorite aircraft to fly? The Boeing 777.

Chris McMonigle, a producer with WFAN, the nation’s largest sports radio network, also felt sports radio production was a great career opportunity.

“Radio is expanding with new opportunities every day,” he said. “There’s a lot of kids interested in the sports career path. When I was in high school, we never had this (a career day). Talking about being in sports radio, I’m happy to do this. I know sports is important to this community. It’s a passion here.”

Part of the day included an all-junior session presented by Mount Saint Mary College officials on career planning. Orange County Government officials presented an all-senior session on county career opportunities.

Students felt the program allowed them an opportunity to hear from and speak with people who know what it takes to enter a specific career.

“I’m glad they want to help us succeed and it helps us to get an idea of what you want to do in the future,” said junior Kassie Ryder, who is considering going into the education or criminal justice fields.

Sophomore Joe DeGennaro is thinking about entering the architecture design or physical therapy fields.
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“It’s helpful for kids like us to get an idea of what we actually want to do in life,” he said.

Although many seniors like Nora Hanlon already picked their expected careers, she believed the day had value for everyone. Nora will attend West Virginia University in the fall and will major in sports exercise psychology.  She plans to eventually earn a doctorate in this field.

“I think the day is great,” she said, “and I hope people take advantage of what it offers them.”

To see more photos, visit the district’s Facebook page: Minisink Valley Central School District.