Making the Grade: LI schools help students choose careers

Choosing a career path can be a challenging task for many students.

In an effort to help students select professions, Long Island schools have been debuting career fairs and occupation-specific clubs to introduce students to the array of jobs available to them after high school.

One such event was an inaugural Career Connect, Trade and Talent Expo hosted this past fall by the business department at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn. The first-time event provided pupils with opportunities to interact with 40 different local professionals ranging from medical workers to law enforcement personnel.

“The expo was a resounding success, encapsulating the spirit of exploration and discovery,” Harborfields Principal Marie Netto said. “It provided a platform for our students to interact with representatives from various industries, colleges and trade schools, offering them a glimpse into potential career pathways.”

In Roslyn, the high school recently held a first-ever Career Day that featured more than 50 diverse presenters — including keynote speakers Michael Goldberg, the founder and CEO of the leadership firm Walkalongside Leader, and Josh York, the founder and CEO of the fitness company GYMGUYZ.

In Levittown, the school district also marked a first, holding a vocational fair that included U.S. Navy and Army recruiters and local carpenters, electricians and steamfitters. The fair was held at both Division Avenue and Gen. Douglas MacArthur high schools.

And in Islip, the high school debuted a First Responders Club in response to student requests to learn about positions in that field.

“I thought it was a great idea, incorporating training and career exploration for students who may be interested in becoming a first responder,” said club adviser Renee Clock.

FLORAL PARK

New principal

Alicia Calabrese has been appointed principal of Floral Park Memorial High School in the Sewanhaka Central High School District. She replaced Brian Conboy, who held the position on an interim basis.

Calabrese had been the school’s assistant principal since 2018. She began her career as an English teacher at Elmont Memorial High School and also served as the school’s English department chairwoman and assistant principal.

“I am excited to take on this new role and I look forward to serving the students and families in this new capacity,” Calabrese said.

HUNTINGTON STATION

STEM Cultural Expo

The Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School, which educates students in fourth through sixth grade, recently held its first annual STEM Cultural Expo, in which classes shared projects they created about countries ranging from Pakistan to Venezuela. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

The projects provided information on various aspects of each country — such as their climate and wildlife — and children were invited to engage in a “gallery walk” around the building to learn about the different cultures and “find pride in the heritages they share,” school officials said.

“It was wonderful to see students come together and share their learning,” said the school’s principal, Donna Moro.

SAYVILLE

Community Connect Day

Sayville High School recently held its first-ever Community Connect Day in an effort to celebrate the importance of volunteer work and immerse students in community service.

Participating teens were separated into 29 “activity groups” — eight of which volunteered on school grounds and 21 of which volunteered at locations off school grounds. Locations where the latter groups volunteered included Brightview Senior Living, Brookside County Park and the Sayville Library.

“This not only made a difference throughout our community, but it also helped our students experience the power and importance of giving and connecting to our community,” Sayville Public Schools Superintendent Marc Ferris said.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.