CRSM Juniors gathered after school on April 30th to hear from alumni, business partners, and dedicated volunteers about their own career journeys. Career Exploration Day, organized by the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), was created to empower students with the knowledge and connections needed to navigate their professional journeys confidently.
The event featured diverse career tracks spanning various industries. From Arts and Communication to Health Science and Technology, students had the opportunity to explore areas of interest and engage with professionals representing many organizations. Representatives from many of our prominent business partners such as AbbVie, IBM Global Services, and Abbott Laboratories, offered students firsthand insights into the realities of different professions. Volunteers from local organizations like the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Waukegan Park District provided valuable perspectives on their respective fields.
“I had a meaningful conversation with one of the students where they explained to me their strong interest in Engineering and all the wonderful things they were doing to achieve their goal of going to college. Seeing the drive and ambition of the student was very impressive. It was not only a sign of their dedication and effort, but also of the exceptional work being done by the CRSM staff”, said Marco Vazquez, CRSM ‘18. Marco currently works as an Associate Project Engineer at L3Harris Technologies. He was able to participate in the Career Exploration Event as a panelist representing the Engineering career field.
Lori Bell, a CWSP Coordinator and Operations Lead, emphasized the event’s significance in aligning with CRSM’s mission to cultivate purposeful professionals. “The Career Exploration event serves as a platform for students to engage with professionals from various industries, gaining insights into the real-world challenges and triumphs they may encounter,” said Bell.
CRSM Junior Yeleyni O. also shared her thoughts on the event. Yeleyni’s engagement in three career tracks—Arts, Communication, and Technology; Agriculture; and Health Science—shed light on her evolving interests and aspirations. “Both the agriculture and health science panels really left a big impact on me,” she reflected. “I feel like career exploration definitely helped me be more confident in going into that field.”
As CRSM continues its mission to prepare students for the professional world of work, events like Career Exploration play a pivotal role in shaping students’ futures. By offering firsthand experiences and fostering meaningful connections with professionals, CRSM empowers its students to embark on their career journeys with confidence and purpose.