March 15 the Evergreen High School counseling and career center staff hosted the first ever Junior Career Day, which was geared towards prepping juniors for their college and career search. The junior class reported at 8 a.m. and rotated between three45-minute stations: a motivational speaker, a career fair, and a representative from DeVry University

This is the first year that EHS has planned such an event. It took place during CSAP week, in which the freshman and sophomores take the Colorado standardized tests.

During the testing week, the underclassmen take their assessments in the morning and class resumes at 11:35 am. The counselors, along with Mary Beth Maneiro, decided to utilize this time to help kids get motivated about college and to help them narrow their career interests.

The first station was with Brent Stewart, the representative from DeVry University's On Your Way program. An enthusiastic and well articulated guy, he used animated stories and examples to show how there are many careers relating to our passions and that having any college degree improves your financial status. He used going to the movies as an example of how money can be easily spent: on tickets, popcorn, and candy.

The average high school graduate can earn $29,000 a year, whereas the average college graduate with a Bachelor's degree can earn roughly $51,000 a year. He used several video clips demonstrating how common teen activities such as text messaging, skate boarding and surfing the web -- can all be turned into high-paying careers. Students were able to take simple, yet effective surveys to match their interests and personality traits with careers.

The highlight of the morning was the Career Fair. Many parent and community volunteers attended the fair to represent and share not only their careers, but the education and training information with students.

Each junior was to choose three different people to interview about their job. Many different careers were represented. Favorites included Kim Rodda, a photographer; Donna Aquilano, an architect; Jess Harvat, the Echo Mountain Park Marketing Director; and retired Commander Frank Cole of the Coast Guard. Students were able to talk to professionals about their career, the training and tasks it entails, and what educational background was required to get into that field.

The final stop for students was the auditorium to see Lance Carl, a motivational speaker. He talked to students about the seven umbrella steps to success, some of which were: having a plan or strategy, having discipline, having a mentor, and having courage.

All of these things are needed to be successful in college and picking a career, but also assets needed to be successful throughout life.

The Junior class of EHS is the first class to have a Career Day. Last year's Senior class filled out surveys at the end of the year and many felt that the school needed to better help students choosing careers. Many students believe the Career Day was a useful step in narrowing down their infinite options of majors and careers and hope that this event will become an annual one.

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