By Nogales High School Career Pathway Students Melissa Briseño & Deondra Cisneros
On November 6, 2018, the Rowland Unified School District hosted the 23
rd
annual Connections to the Future event at Nogales High School. During this event students from both Rowland High School and Nogales High School’s Senior Seminar program made presentations on a career that they are interested in and is part of their career pathway. Students interacted with members of the community and the district and were able to have meaningful conversations about the career pathway they have chosen.
“I was exposed to a variety of distinct businesses and several community members of whom provided a lot of valuable information that helped put my mind into a more business perspective. The event taught me a lot about the real world, outside of high school and into the business world where things do not come as easy as they do in high school -- where deadlines are crucial, requirements must be met under no circumstance, and rules are very strict. I also learned there are so many opportunities and if I build bridges, I should keep them and not burn them because they can benefit you in the long run,” said Melissa Briseno, Arts and Communications Pathway student at Nogales High School. Students and community members enjoyed the keynote speaker in the event, John Beede, an author and motivational speaker about his experiences climbing the world’s tallest mountains in each continent, including the famous Mt. Everest. He also shared a moving poem that discussed generations and their effect in the world around us. “The Connections to The Future event made me as a student feel important and I realized that there is a lot out there that can help me with my pathway. I am honestly very thankful to have had this experience,” said Deondra Cisneros, Arts and Communications Pathway student at Nogales High School.
Nogales alumni Yesenia Mandujano attended the event and said that she was able to meet people who came from a variety of professions and felt it provided her a better understanding of the benefits in the different career fields. “The fact of just being able to greet them, student to adult rather than student to student, changes my perspective on things and it brought me more insight and knowledge in future careers,” said Mandujano. Kayla Andrews, Health and Medical program student at Nogales High School had many positive things to say about the event. She liked how the students hosted the event and were the ones presenting, demonstrating responsibility. She also appreciated that the members of the community and the district genuinely were interested in the different careers that were presented and the questions asked had meaning and conversations peaked interest in their lives. Andrews shared, “It was a fulfilling thing… It showed you how the real world may work and how it will help you with your future.”
If your business would like to be an intern site or you want to become a mentor for the Career Pathways Program, please contact the School to Career Office, Vickie Burch, Program Specialist at (626)965-5975 ext. 1572.
For more information on the Career Pathways Program offered at both Nogales and Rowland High Schools click below!
