Herndon Elementary School sixth-grade students peruse objects that were created by Bruce Wyman of 3D Herndon and his 3-D printer during the career fair. Photo by Fallon Forbush.
More than 60 participants set up the wares and gadgets of their trade — ranging from cake, essential oils, tiaras, books, toothbrushes and more — in the gymnasium at the Herndon Elementary School on the morning of Thursday, April 20. It was quiet as adults were busy dressing their tables and sipping on complimentary coffee and tea.
They would need the caffeine, as the first wave of nearly 900 students would be bursting through the door in mere minutes.
The school’s 20th Annual Career Day was here.
This was the day that Tiffany Bryant had been planning for months. As a counselor for the school, it’s her job to help teachers prepare students become the best and well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.
This day was designed to inspire students.
With paper briefcases decorated with personal illustrations of their dream profession, like actor, journalist, doctor, athlete, scientist, author and even Pokémon, students were set free to mingle with and ask questions of all the participants.
While participants were instructed to bring ample business cards, students were also equipped with their own. They were told to provide their cards to their favorite participants or those they felt they connected with during the fair.
“This morning when the students came in, they were wearing … big smiles from yesterday!” Bryant wrote in an email to participants the following morning. “I had a sixth grader tell me she wanted to go to college now. Mission accomplished!”