WMU to host Career Exploration Day

WINFIELD — Winfield-Mt. Union Junior-Senior High School is excited to expose students to information about experiences outside of school through their first Career Exploration Day March 15. This day will be made possible through partnerships with numerous community businesses, schools, and organizations.

“One of our overall goals is to provide students with as much information about experiences outside of high school as we can,” WMU School Counselor Sierra Wyse said. “One way we thought we could do this was to host a Career Explorations Day where we could incorporate reflection type activities within the day to really get students thinking about life after high school.”

According to Wyse, the idea to host the Career Exploration Day for sixth-graders through seniors came to Principal Gaige Gill, At-Risk Coordinator Jill Blake, and herself while attending workshops to create and revise their District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP).

The day will begin at 1:15 p.m. and consist of students participating in a scavenger hunt that encourages their interaction with participants that will host informational booths throughout the school’s big gym.

Students can also choose to attend three different breakout room sessions where they can ask questions and dig deeper with panel discussions. There will be one breakout room specifically for mock interviews for seniors, as well.

“We have quite a few participants lined up to attend and are waiting to hear back still from a few,” Wyse said. “The hope is to have as many different career paths represented as possible.”

Those interested in adding to the day can choose to participate by just setting up a booth, and participating in panel discussions, and/or participating in mock interviews. To RSVP email Wyse at sierra.wyse@wmucsd.org or Gill at gaige.gill@wmucsd.org by March 1.

So far the school is excited to welcome the following partners to their first Career Exploration Day:

Sinclair Tractor

Army National Guard

Ink Ascension

Sunrise Terrace

Pilot Grove Savings Bank

JET Physical Therapy

Eastern Iowa Community College

Cambridge Investment Research Inc.

Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility

Carl A. Nelson and Company

Southeastern Community College

Access Energy

La'James International College

American Hair Academy

United States Army

Wayland State Bank

Mt. Pleasant Dental Associates

Wyse is especially excited that various alumni also will participate in the event and share about what they do.

“I think that this is one of the things I am most excited about because I think it will be a neat opportunity for our current students to connect with previous students who have walked these same hallways and had some of the same teachers and coaches,” Wyse said, “I am hopeful that our students will be able to walk away from this experience feeling encouraged about their future.”

While this is the first Career Exploration Day for WMU, Wyse is hopeful to make this event an annual event moving forward.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com