HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Jose L.G. Rios Middle School hosted a Career Fair where it invited presenters across the spectrum of career areas in the private and public sectors. The Guam Daily Post spoke among the presenters and met with students, teachers, counselors and volunteers.
Students were excited to learn about the different career pathways there are to embark upon in their futures. They asked questions that were guided by their teachers so they could get a feel for what they should look out for.
Students were given two 45-minute sessions with two different speakers in two of their classes. Students asked questions related to salaries paid for the job, hours spent per week on the job and other questions like these that relate to compensation and time off.
Other questions that were asked were those related to downfalls and challenges. Students were more likely to ask questions about the positive aspects of careers, however.
Questions related to how rewarding the job was, what is most meaningful and other positive and uplifting reasons for the work were asked by students in larger part than negative questions.
JRMS student leaders were interviewed about the Career Fair and they shared some of their thoughts with the Post.
Elizabeth Tydingco, 8th grader and president of the National Junior Honor Society said, “I think the goal of the career fair was to show all of the students the different careers they may want to consider pursuing in the future.”
Tydingco said she often changes her mind on what she decides to strive for, however, currently, she is considering psychiatry.
“I find mental health very important. Even though I will probably be in school for an extra 12 years, I think it’s absolutely worth it. Four years of college, four years of medical school and four years of residency,” said Tydingco.
JRMS student leader Chehy Ahn said, “The career fair was a great opportunity for me to represent my school and also for my fellow students to learn about different careers.” Ahn thanked the Post for coming to the event and covering the story. Although she is not sure what she wants to pursue in the future, for now, she is dedicated to being a student-athlete in basketball.
Student council president Ana Mafnas said the Career Fair was really fun.
“It was nice to engage with other people and seeing the kids noticing their options on what they can be and what they can do when they grow up,” said Mafnas.
She said she didn’t get to see too many of the presenters but did say the firefighters amused her.
“I did find the firefighters quite funny. I was supposed to give them their name tags and they weren’t giving me their names. So, I was just, like, handing them out to them,” she said.
JRMS were gracious hosts who served breakfast and hot coffee to presenters on the morning of the Career Fair and The Guam Daily Post hopes to be there at future events with the JRMS family.
