HISD’s Career Readiness Department hosted its annual “When I Grow Up” career expo which featured dozens of exhibitors from local companies for students to explore and learn more about.
The event took place Saturday, April 15, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center and welcomed HISD students in grades K-12 and their families to enjoy hands-on activities, food trucks, games, career pathways competitions, live performances, and more.
“One of the things that we wanted to do is to have something where students of all ages can come out and get hands-on experience with careers,” said HISD Career Readiness Executive Director Kaire Hopson Onajobi. “Our really big goal is to make sure we expose as many kids to as many careers as possible as early as possible to give them the best chance to pick their post-secondary plans after graduation.”
Participating vendors including METRO, University of Houston, City of Houston, Harris County Precinct One, and many more provided interactive displays, stimulating exhibits, and a variety of activities for students and families.
Youth ages 16-24 were also able to apply and interview on-the-spot for summer internships in various City of Houston departments through Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Hire Houston Youth Program which runs eight weeks in the summer and pays $10 per hour.
“It feels great to be a part of a district that encourages students to go out and follow their dreams,” said Bellaire High School senior Giovanna Gutierrez Tirado who also won the official T-shirt design contest for this year’s career expo.
Students and their families were entertained by performances from the North Forest High School marching band, Ortiz Middle School Mariachi Band, Jones Future Academy cheerleaders, Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center cheerleaders, and Windsor Village Elementary School cheerleaders.
“I’m happy to see everyone coming together in the community to support us,” said North Forest High School sophomore Corey Lavan. “It feels really good.”
To learn more information about HISD’s Career Readiness Department, click here.