San Mateo Union High School District’s Career Expo returns Tuesday, looking to connect students with alternative career paths that do not require four-year college degrees.
The event looks to legitimize options for students who may not immediately be considering college as their next step and provide them with adequate resources and networking opportunities, said Nancy Kane, the district’s career and community service coordinator.
The event is open to district students as well as their families, who can all get hands-on learning about high-paying careers from industry experts from over 50 companies.
“Not all of our students are going to a four-year college and we want them to know what their options are, right here in the Bay Area,” Kane said. “A lot of students are not aware of what those jobs are, what those careers are. They don’t know what they don’t know.”
Students will gain insight into public service jobs, career training programs, certifications, union trades and more in this networking event spotlighting local businesses.
Represented companies will cover a range of industries, including the arts, business and finance, construction trades, education and child development, utilities, health sciences, marketing, public service and transportation.
The district is partnering with the San Francisco International Airport, the largest employer in the county, as a main sponsor of the event. Its 43,000 employees include jobs outside of working for the airlines, which many might not consider Kane said.
“If they can get a good-paying job and stay in the Bay Area, that’s really important that they’re aware and know about those different options,” Kane said. “The airport is right there.”
Kane said she also looked to get representatives from each city where district schools reside to also speak about post-grad opportunities and internships in the realm of public service that students can consider.
Against the backdrop of a competitive, college-oriented Bay Area, Kane said it’s important to let students know that there are other, just as valuable, pathways to establish a career and stay in the area where they grew up.
Many recommend obtaining a bachelor’s degree for optimal job security down the line, but Kane said there are other benefits to note from careers that may not require higher education, such as the pension provided for public works.
“We’re between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, but not everybody is going to be a software engineer, not everybody is going to go to a four-year,” Kane said. “We have students that are going to be blue-collar workers and they need to be able to get those skills and learn about the different options for them.”
It’s just as important for parents of these students to also know that there are sustainable options for their children outside of a four-year college, Kane said.
“To have [parents] come to an event like this is important because they also need to learn and understand what the different options out there for their kid are, or listen to their kid about what they’re interested in,” Kane said. “They hold a lot of weight.”
A parent in the past, who was recently out of work, even was able to connect with someone at the Career Expo and got a job working in dispatch, demonstrating the benefits of inviting the whole family, Kane said.
“It is extremely important to give our students exposure to alternative pathways in addition to a four-year university after graduation,” Superintendent Randall Booker said in an email statement. “This event will help our young people gain the knowledge of the many career opportunities available to them in our community and the Bay Area.”
The Career Expo will be held 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the San Mateo High School Main Gym and Spirit Lawn Area. The high school is located at 506 N. Delaware St.
