For Pasadena Memorial High School Students, career day means business. Dressed in their best business attire, students in grades 9-12 listened attentively as more than 100 guest speakers from different vocations spoke to them about what it took for them to get where they are today.

Professionals from as far away as New York to right here in Pasadena ISD including customs agents, firefighters, policemen, insurance agents, architects, business owners, real estate agents, chefs, doctors, Pasadena’s newly elected mayor Johnny Isbell and Pasadena ISD’s superintendent Dr. Kirk Lewis all showed their commitment to the success of students by sharing their own professional and social experiences with the students.

“We share one simple and important message for high school students—receiving a higher education doesn’t have to be a dream, it can become a reality,” said Lewis. “And having the opportunity to interact with business professionals of all walks of life from around the world is crucial for our students because it can influence the choices they make throughout high school and beyond.”

A couple months prior to the school’s career day, students filled out a career cluster interest survey with 16 groups of questions asking not about what they wanted to be but about certain interests they might have. Each group of questions represented a career cluster. Pasadena Memorial’s assistant principal and career day coordinator Tish Eubanks then compiled the data to determine which career cluster students would go into.

“During career day, it’s important for students to be grouped with professionals that have careers within the interests of the students,” said Eubanks. “We wanted to provide a variety of speakers so our students would have more opportunities to learn about what they might or might not be interested in so they could make appropriate decisions about courses to take in high school and in college. Tapping into the interests of our students is the key to their success.”

All students in grades 9-12 participated in the career day, and the school’s principal Billye Smith said it’s never too early—or too late—to begin planning for the future.

“We want ninth graders to begin planning their high school experience on the first day of high school,” said Smith. “We want sophomores, juniors and seniors to make well-informed decisions regarding their course selections and to begin talks with colleges and universities. Career day helps spark student interest and triggers many conversations among and between students, teachers, parents and perspective employers. It gives our students a dream to dream and a goal to achieve.”

Smith said the event has created a buzz throughout the school about the different sessions students attended and that the speakers are the reason for increased student interest.

“The speakers came prepared and they offered valuable insights into their professions,” Smith said. “They talked about work ethic and commitment to excellence. They were very personable and friendly, and they appeared to genuinely enjoy the experience and many voiced a desire to come again next year.”

Among other things, the visiting professionals also described skills they use on the job, how they got started in their field, a typical day at work, the education and/or certification needed in their career field, salaries and advancement opportunities.

“Our career day was a huge success,” Smith said. “There is no way to know just how powerful the impact will be, but I believe the futures of many of our students were touched in ways that we may never fully realize. Our business and industry neighbors enthusiastically supported this event, and we are forever grateful to them as they are our partners in the development of the young men and women of our community. These students are our leaders of tomorrow and any investment we make in them will bring great rewards to this community.”