District holds first career fair

The all-purpose room at the Leon J. Campo Salisbury Center was lined with dozens of tables, each with professionals in different fields as part of the East Meadow School District’s Career Fair on March 22. 

“This is the first time ever that the district is hosting a career fair,” Patrice Dobies, director of special education and pupil personnel services, said. “Believe it or not, we have never hosted anything like this before so we’re very excited that it took off.”

The fair drew about 45 career representatives from various businesses and organizations in East Meadow and surrounding communities. More than 35 students, along with their parents, trickled into the room throughout the two-hour event. Some of the students, who initially were too bashful to speak, and their parents asked questions for them. Other students, overcome with curiosity, came up to the tables and fiddled with display items. 

“What can I write about if I work for a newspaper?” Mariana, whose parent asked that she be identified only by her first name, asked at a table manned by a Herald staff member. The response — politics, entertainment, education — fueled more questions. She thumbed through the newspaper, pointing at pictures and reading headlines aloud.

John Constantine, a photographer at Storm Photographers in East Meadow, used a computer to showcase his work. Students watched a slideshow of his portraits — weddings, engagements and family — and asked questions. He displayed a digital camera and a vintage camera, side by side, which drew more queries from students. “It’s great to see kids show an interest in photography,” he said. 

“The idea of hosting a career fair stemmed from guidance counselors and teachers last spring,” Dobies said. “It was a collective effort. The staff felt that kids really needed more information about all of the possible careers they could be interested in.”

Once the project was approved last June, Dobies called East Meadow Chamber of Commerce President Frank Camarano Jr. for help. “We wanted to recruit as many local organizations as possible,” she said. “The chamber really did a fantastic job recruiting people from so many different fields. I think the kids really got a taste of everything they could imagine.” 

Camarano said that businesses and organizations were thrilled to showcase potential careers to students. He added that although the event required hard work from both the district and the chamber, it was worth it. 

“I got a couple of kids to come to my table and talk about personal training,” said Camarano, who manages World Gym in East Meadow. “It was definitely a successful night. I was shocked and delighted at the amount of people that came, especially because this is the first time.”

Keynote speaker Christina Cacioppo Bertsch kicked off the career fair with a presentation highlighting points from her book “Life After High School.” Bertsch, an author and college adviser who lends her services to students nationwide, offered tips on applying for college, researching careers and life in general. 

“How many of you do your own laundry?” Bertsch asked the crowd. A few hands shot up, accompanied by some chuckles. “A life tip for you all: Do your own laundry!” Bertsch exclaimed.

“I think having the keynote speaker there was definitely beneficial to the students,” Camarano said. “She offered them tips that they may not know are useful in life. Those are the kind of speakers kids look up to and listen to.”

Christin Snow, a special education teacher and the girls swimming coach at East Meadow High School, said that the career fair was a success. “One of the swimmers that I work with was very interested in criminal justice,” said Snow, who helped organize the fair. “She was able to speak with some Nassau County police officers and ask questions about the process it takes to get into that field.” 

Snow said that another student who was curious about a career in physical therapy was able to speak with a practicing therapist and find out about the academic requirements she needed for that field. “It was a remarkable turnout,” Snow said. “It was fantastic to see the kids interact with professionals in different fields they’re interested in. It was also nice to see different members of the community come together at the school.” 

Camarano said that the chamber is interested in collaborating with the district again next year. “This is just one of the many things that the chamber has done with the school district to benefit the kids,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids.”