Norwalk-La Mirada Unified students from all grade levels connected with potential career pathways through an online assessment of their interests and strengths and tested their physical fitness with the Army by doing pull-ups at the District’s inaugural Career Exploration Night.

Freshman Margaret Zavala from Southeast Academy, a District military and law enforcement high school, volunteered at the event.

“I hope that my peers realize what they want to do in the future and know what to do to help them pursue that career,” Zavala said. “I want to be an infantry officer in an academy, and the representatives talked about how the Army can help you.”

The event, hosted in collaboration with the City of Norwalk and the Norwalk Education Alliance, featured more than 25 industry representatives who answered student questions and offered advice on what pathway to follow in high school and beyond.

Industries included Microsoft, the Gas Co., the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California Conservation Corps, U.S. Army, Electrical Institute and Hyatt Hotels.

“We want to bring exposure to students on the different paths available at one spot,” Southeast Academy counselor Eufemia Cervantes said. “The representatives provided a way for students to see themselves doing these types of jobs.”

Microsoft led three workshops during the event: one on career opportunities in the company and two coding sessions specific to middle and high school levels. Students learned coding basics to navigate a character through a maze picking up objects, while learning about career opportunities in computer science.

Students attended a panel discussion on essential skills for employment, learning that collaboration and social skills are also key in being hired in addition to the experience they have on their resume.

“Norwalk-La Mirada Unified focuses on providing our students with opportunities that guide them toward their future pathway,” Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian said. “Thanks to our strong community partnerships, our Career Exploration Night opened our students to a variety of careers so that they can discover which one is right for them.”

PHOTOS:

061317_NLMUSD_CAREEREXPO1: Norwalk-La Mirada Unified students take a specialized coding workshop provided by Microsoft during the District’s inaugural Career Exploration Night.

061317_NLMUSD_CAREEREXPO2: Norwalk-La Mirada Unified students meet with more than 25 industry professionals, including Microsoft, the Gas. Co. and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during the District’s inaugural Career Exploration Night.