LAKEPORT, Calif. – School sites at Lakeport Unified School District collaborated the first week of March to host and showcase Career Day for all of the district’s students.

During the two-day event, students from all schools were able to explore and gather information on a wide array of careers, with more than 50 presenters and 25 informational booths.

“I am so pleased that our schools were able to collaborate so that each student was able to experience
Career Day in some capacity,” said Lakeport Unified Superintendent Erin Smith-Hagberg. “All together we had over 700 students participate. I couldn’t be more pleased with our willing community participants and our wonderful group of staff and students.”

The event gave students at Terrace Middle, Lakeport Elementary, Lakeport Community Day, Clear Lake High and Natural Continuation High schools a chance to interact with local individuals from community colleges as well as representatives from the California State University system, the Department of Forestry, the Carpenters Union, and all military branches.

Local businesses such as The Shoe Box, Shoreline Reality and Umpqua Bank helped provide additional diversity in the career field.

Planning staff from Community Care Management Cooperation, REACH employees, and staff from the District Attorney’s Office were among the presenters.

Individuals and organizations, both within and outside the community, volunteered their time to benefit
Lakeport Unified’s students.

On March 6, high school students and middle school students in seventh and eighth grades were assigned a schedule for the day based on their career preferences.

Students were able to learn new information about a variety of careers. One student from Clear Lake High School stated, “I like that there were careers that you wouldn’t expect to see, but were very interesting,” while another said, “From tattoo artist to PG&E – we had it all.”

Students in grades fourth and fifth at Terrace Middle School had their Career Day opportunity on March 10.

Presenters came from surrounding area businesses to talk about their jobs and personal career paths
and interact with the students in a classroom setting.

Students were able to ask engaging questions and reflect on their personal interests and values.

Even the kindergarteners from Lakeport Elementary School were included; they were able to meet Chief Doug Hutchison from the Lakeport Fire Department and were ecstatic to see his “big” fire truck.

Elementary school counselor Sarah Carey said, “I believe there is a huge opportunity to assist students in becoming more aware of what they can accomplish at an early age. Letting our future leaders recognize their potential as early as possible is important to their growth as individuals.”

School counselors at the Lakeport Unified campuses were instrumental in the planning for this year’s Career Day and expressed gratitude to the many presenters and participants who gave their time.