By Charlyne Nguyen
Students looking to explore their career interests can register for virtual career talks hosted by the Huntington Beach Unified High School District (HBUHSD).
These meetings include professionals from a wide spectrum of careers who explain to students the ups and downs of their job as well as the education requirements.
Speakers who’ve been featured so far include laboratory scientists, nurses, a soccer coach, an investigator, a dentist, a Navy officer, an engineer, a graphic designer, a marine biologist and many more.
The professionals that speak during these meetings allow students to get a first-hand insight into what they’re in for if they decide to pursue a career in that particular field.
“I would recommend hopping on to at least one of the virtual career meetings,” senior Brenda Pham said. “Because whether or not you want to pursue that career, it is another opportunity to learn about something new.”
If students are feeling a little doubtful of whether or not to come to these meetings because of their grade level, all HBUHSD students are welcome.
“[Ninth] through 12th-grade students will definitely benefit. Not only will they be educated on that career, but this is an amazing networking opportunity for potential future internships, job shadow opportunities and maybe even employment,” FVHS College and Career Specialist Irene Yu said.
The meetings began March 16 and run until April 1, so students still have the opportunity to explore some of the career meetings available.
The meetings available the week of March 22 start on Tuesday, March 23.
The meetings for this particular week include speakers like animation coordinator Sandra Waring, speech-language pathologists Claire Duffy and Stephanie Nguyen, registered nurse anesthetist Lisa Hoffman and others.
There are even meetings available the following week, beginning March 30.
These meetings include flight attendant Kevin Highland, mechanical engineer Khoa Vinh and lawyer Hoan Nguyen.
Even if students aren’t sure of what they want to do yet, attending some of these meetings can help narrow it down and give students an opportunity to see some of their options.
“I really encourage all students to attend as many Career Talks as possible and to pick talks that you’re not that familiar with,” Yu said. “Some job titles might be ambiguous, and that’s an even bigger reason why you should go and learn more about it! Just because you sign up for a workshop does not mean you need to pursue that field. Knowledge is power and the more you know the better prepared you will be!”
For information on the dates and times of these meetings, students can view them on the HBUHSD Career Talks 2021 Guide. The links for the meetings are also available on this guide.
