In year’s past, the Beacon High School Career Fair is an opportunity for students to roam the high school gym to connect with professionals in a variety of fields, including illustration, publishing, media, legal, cosmetology, engineering, technology, insurance, service (police, state or county attorney, etc.). For professionals, it is a chance to meet students.

A Little Beacon Blog and Tin Shingle have gone each hear. Sometimes students are shy and ask questions almost in secret: “I draw. But I don’t know where to draw. I don’t like to draw at home. Do you know of any groups?” Sometimes a student will drag their friend to the table: “She blogs. She has a fashion blog but doesn’t talk about it. Friend, tell her about your blog!” It’s almost a day of giving permission to tap into your dreams.

The pandemic hit last March, and the Career Fair was canceled in person that May. Now that the second May is rolling around, Beacon’s Guidance Counselor Michele R. Polhamus is stepping up to the video editing plate as so many of her colleagues have done to stitch together a video experience for the youth, but needs the help of business owners, artists and employees in the field who want to make a video to send to her, to share career insights with the students.

In an email appealing to past year’s participants, Michele said: “The goal of our Virtual Career Fair is simple: to expose our high school students to a wide variety of careers. I am hoping to create a solid event for our students, but need videos in order to do this.”

Michele made the directions to make a video simple and direct.

1. Fill out this Google Form (Click here to access the form) confirming your interest in the virtual “event” including a link to a recorded video which can be posted at Google Drive. Guidance on what to answer in the video is below.

2. Record (horizontally if using your phone or record on your computer) a 5-10 minute video answering

the following questions:

Introduction:

• State your name, position and company.

• Briefly describe what led you to your current job (include details like if you always knew you would do this, unsuccessful work experiences or promotions that led you to your current job, etc.)

• What schooling and/or experience did you have to go through for your current job?

Job Info:

• Explain your role and what skills are required for your position.

• What does an ‘average’ day look like for you?

• What is the best part of your job?

• What is the hardest part of your job?

Extra info to share:

• What are your long term career goals?

• What advice would you give to students in finding a career they love?

• What advice would you give to students for an interview?

• Job outlook for your profession?

Ready to record?