On March 15, approximately 500 high school sophomores from throughout the North Country converged at the New Hampshire Community College-Berlin, the host site for Career Day. The second annual career day was organized to allow sophomores the opportunity to speak to professionals representing a variety of occupations. The jobs ranged from education to electrician, forensics to fashion and automotive to attorney. Virtually all fields of interest could be found inside the classrooms.
With nine North Country schools and 500 sophomores attending, the groups were broken up into two 105-minute sessions. Students from Berlin, Groveton, Profile, and Stratford attended the first session. The second session hosted Gorham, Colebrook, Littleton, Pittsburg, and White Mt. Regional High School. Each session was broken-up into three 30-minute presentations, which allowed students the opportunity to learn about three occupations. All presentations followed a common format. Many presenters brought visual aids or demonstrations. "Students in the North Country sometimes miss out on exciting career related events like these. It is refreshing to be able to offer students informative activities such as career, college, and job fairs to aid in their career exploration while they are still in the early career planning phases. Reaching students early allows them to incorporate the knowledge they have gained regarding a particular field or area of study into their high school curriculum and future plans," said Melissa Wedge, school to career coordinator at Berlin High.
With full support of the Androscoggin Valley Economic Recovery (AVER) Education Task Force, administration and guidance personnel at Berlin and Gorham High Schools arranged the presenters. Staff members at CCSNH-Berlin also assisted with preparations for the event. The students were surveyed prior to organizing the event to determine where their interests were. After gaining feedback from the students, the organizers chose the top 27 areas of interest as indicated by the sophomores. Students were then given the list, and asked to choose three careers to explore and one alternative. Computerized schedules were prepared in advance to insure that no presenter was over-loaded or left without an audience. Presenters included: Tim Sappington, architecture; Peter Gagnon, attorney; Alan Wheeler and Al Host, automotive; Sue Blais, childcare; Carol Miller, computers; Barry Kelly and Butch Lane, construction/heavy equipment; Cindy Qualls, corrections; Jan Moreau, cosmetology; Steve Griffiths, culinary arts; Rob Hamel, education; Yves Zornio, electrician; Paul Crowell, engineer; Vicky Chick, fashion; Dave Floryan and Faye Memolo, forensics; Joe Fortin, graphic arts; Richard Wallingford, interior design/decorator; Keith Roberge, Peter Morency, and Red Drapeau, law enforcement; Tricia Shute, medicine; Robin Lavertu and Mike Imondi, military; Audley Williams, music; Bridgett Blais, nursing; Paul Charest, photography; Reggie Coulombe, physical therapy; Lou Desmond, pilot; Dr. Peter Rogers, psychologist; Jeff Webster, truck driving; and Ron Mulaire, welding. Diana Nelson and Les Glover were also on hand from the N.H. Employment Security Office.
According to Berlin High School Guidance Director Ken Proulx, the event once again proved successful. "Everything went well. The evaluations we received from the presenters were positive, and most said they would like to participate next year. There are some areas we would like to tweak, to make this the best possible event." Proulx was thankful for the hard work put in by numerous people. The Community Technical College staff was pleased as well. "This is collaboration at its best and exactly the type of program we want to be part of. Many people came together to make this event a success. It is a great indicator of what can be accomplished when various factions work together. We are hoping that career day continues, and that other activities for north country students can be developed and organized," says Martha Laflamme, vice president of student affairs at CCSNH-Berlin.
Career Day Photos