Contributor: Amelia Bernard, Pathways Saint John Program Director
The Pathways Saint John team came together again this year to organize their second annual Career Fair, building on student enthusiasm from the inaugural event. Led by Rachel Matthews, a Youth Advisor, the team welcomed 24 students and 17 volunteers into their programming space on April 16th for an energizing afternoon designed to bring real-world pathways to life.
All students attending were given a schedule of career ambassadors they could choose to speak with. The event followed a ‘speed dating’ format, with participants rotating through three timed sessions with different career ambassadors. At each table, they explored their ambassador’s journey through post-secondary education, learned how they achieved their career goals, and gained insight into a typical day in their profession.
Career ambassadors represented a wide range of fields, including healthcare roles such as doctors, nurses, and veterinarians, as well as lawyers, engineers, teachers, and environmental specialists. The participation of such a diverse range of professionals was made possible through the Pathways Saint John team’s outreach to personal and professional networks, demonstrating the strength of community connections in supporting young people.
The many conversations students had throughout the event sparked discovery of previously unknown career options for some, while for others, it fueled their fire for careers they already planned to pursue. Many shared that they left feeling excited about new career paths they learned about and more confident about their future direction.
There was so much student interest in the legal field this year that the Pathways Saint John team has already planned a follow-up session with several of the lawyers who attended. These continued touchpoints help students turn their curiosity into action, supported by professionals who make the pathways ahead feel clearer and more attainable.
