The Salem High School Alumni Association and Salem Rotary Club partnered with Salem High School to hold a career day event for Salem sophomores at Kent State University at Salem Friday, with 35 professionals from across the community volunteering their time to educate students about dozens of professional careers. The event featured multiple presentations on career planning and development, and breakout sessions with students placed into two sessions to hear directly from professionals about their careers across eight broad categories and ask them questions. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The event saw over 150 Salem High School sophomores in attendance for a career education seminar as part of the alumni association’s mission to “foster student and alumni development,” and Salem Rotary’s dedication to fostering education, leadership, and community service among the youth in Salem and surrounding areas. Participating students were welcomed by Alumni Association Executive Director Audrey Null, Alumni Association President Tim Harrington, Salem Rotary President and Alumni Association Board Member Brad Stephens, and Kent State University at Salem Dean Dr. Denise Seachrist.
The day began with a morning of career skill presentations and discussions including: a presentation on future planning covering career opportunities and pathways, and soft skills by retired Salem High School teacher and Coach George Spack; a presentation on certificate degree careers, and careers in manufacturing and the military by Columbiana County Career & Technical Center Director of Student Services and Financial Aid Kevin Clark, and Youngstown State University Special Assistant to the President Tim Harrington; a presentation of college and advanced degrees by Moore Agency Sales Manager Matthew Butts; an interactive career presentation by Columbiana County Educational Service Center Superintendent Marie Williams; and a keynote presentation by Dr. Austin Frederickson, a 2008 Salem High School alum.
The morning session also included a break with refreshments sponsored by the Salem Regional Medical Center.
Following a lunch provided by Salem Rotary and the Alumni Association, students attended two hour-long career sessions from among eight categories of careers including: nursing, medical imaging, laboratory medicine, and physical and occupational therapy; teaching, counseling, social work, and non-profits;
Brightside Project Executive Director Scott Lewis, left, and Co-Director Lisa Vittorio told students about the important role played by non-profit work. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
business, accounting, banking, finance, entrepreneurship, and insurance; forensic science, law, criminal justice careers including police officers, and detectives, and careers in the Federal Bureau of Investigation; engineering, computers, and technology; manufacturing, skilled trades, and military careers; and journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, graphic arts, photography, and social media careers.
Each session featured three to five professionals from the alumni association, Salem Rotary, Kent State University at Salem, Salem City Schools, and from businesses across the community who discussed their careers with students totaling 35 professionals who donated their time for the event. These discussions gave information about their career and their own professional journeys, the required education for their careers, what they felt were the best and worst aspects of their careers, what they feel the future of their career is, and any recommendations they have for someone interested in pursuing a career in their field, and concluded with time for students to ask the professional any questions they had about their careers.
Null said that the program has been “a huge success in the past” and that the alumni association and Salem Rotary are looking forward to continuing this annual professional development tradition.
“Today’s SHS Career Day provided the opportunity for Salem sophomores to meet professionals from a wide range of fields, to ask questions, and to gain insights into positive and negative attributes of their various careers. We thank all participants and are appreciative that they volunteered their time,” said Null.
Participating professionals included: Null, Harrington, Stephens, Seachrist, Butts, Spack, Clark, Salem Regional Medical Center Vice President of Marketing and Planning Debbie Pietrzak, Salem Regional Medical Center ARC Medical Imaging and Director of Ancillary Services Gina Dermotta, Williams, Fredrickson, Krista Hawkins, Debbie Mesmer, Michelle Perry, Dawna Cramer, Doctor Alicia Boyce, Doctor Morgan Shivers, Pharmacist Liz Frederickson, Doctor Megan Leyda, Buckeye Elementary Principal John Lundin, Columbiana County Mental Health Recovery Board Member Lori Colian, Brightside Project Executive Director Scott Lewis, and Co-Director Lisa Vittorio, Karli Utt, Sustainable Opportunity Development Center Executive Director Julie Needs, Ryan Crowell, Mary Winch, William Dawes, Jim Harrington, Michael Oesch, Business Owner Lesley Kline, Brandi Phillips, Police Chief JT Panezott, Detective Brad Davis, Attorney Shawna L’Italian, Howells and Baird President Jon Volnogle, Zack Himes, Anthony Shivers, Caleb White, CNC Machinist Jeff Philo, Corey Taylor, Alex Hertzer, Kristina Danklef, Andy Clutter, and Ryan Boyce.
Columbiana County Mental Health Recovery Board Member Lori Colian discussed counseling and mental health services. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Andy Clutter, center, discusses his career in marketing with students. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Students learn about professional finance and investing. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Brandi Phillips teaches students about her career in forensic science. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
Students learn about careers in nursing, medical imaging, laboratory medicine, and physical and occupational therapy. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)