staff reporter
For the first time in recent memory, educators in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are hosting a career planning night.
The event is today at Maple Ridge secondary, 7-9 p.m.
Organizer Andrew Kowal said the career fair will better suit the needs of students than the current practice of having professionals drop in to speak with groups of students.
There will be numerous career information discussions underway at one time, in classrooms throughout the school, and there will be two sessions. Students have the opportunity to learn about 35 different occupational groups, and there will be 45 local people from those professions on hand to speak with the kids.
Kowal has arranged for paramedics, civil engineers, forensics investigators, pilots, numerous trades people, emergency room nurses, corrections, veterinarians and many more in the broad cross-section of fields represented.
“This is the first time it’s ever been done in our district,” said the work experience teacher.
He said there is no recruiting element to the event.
“These are people with no vested interest in attracting people to their career, they’re just answering questions about what they do.”
School District 42 students and parents pre-registered online for the break-out sessions, and Kowal was expecting about 300. They will then attend an open “fair concept” session.
• For more information call Kowal at 604–463-4175.