Many Career Now students, along with some alumni, attended the Third Annual Career Fair at Camden Academy’s Parkside Campus. The students had the opportunity to connect with a variety of companies and explore potential career paths, giving them a first-hand look at the skills, roles, and industries they could pursue in the future. Many industries were represented as students learned about different career fields.
Some of the organizations present at the event included the New Jersey State Police, Camden Fire Department, the United States Army, New Jersey American Water, and St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, to name a few. Each field generated strong interest from students and alumni as they gathered information and asked questions about possible career opportunities.
Mrs. Kayla Parker-Carroll, a Career Now counselor for Camden Academy, organized the event with the hope of inspiring students to pursue career paths that could guide them in the future. We managed to catch up with her and ask about the event.
“We’ve been hosting this event for a few years now, and it gives students the opportunity to meet with different employers within the community and the city of Camden to learn about experiences, internships, and even scholarships,” she explained.
This event could be the beginning of a student’s journey. One student who was eager to meet with several employers was Jeremiah Lopez, a senior at Camden Academy who is looking for the right fit for a career.
“What I took from today is networking myself and connecting with the right people,” he said. “I spoke to the military and the fire department, and I learned that I need to put myself out there more.”
The event drew an even larger crowd as time went on. Many alumni also visited and networked with employers. Ciani Mendaz, a Class of 2025 alum, was one of the attendees who met with various employers.
“What I took from today was realism and being able to ask many questions,” she said. “I loved being able to talk to people who have the experience, because they can give me advice and help me navigate the career world. Taking my time is key.”
With another successful event wrapped up, it will be exciting to see where many of these students decide to go in the future. The sky is the limit.