Holy Spirit students enjoy opportunity of career exploration fair

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Holy Spirit High School students looking to broaden the scope of their post-graduation career opportunities were in for a treat this week.
The 5th Annual Career Fair sponsored by the Rotary Club of Avalon Northeast, held in partnership with the Holy Spirit High Interact Club and additional students and faculty, featured 50 “ambassadors” from a wide variety of vocations.
Plumbers, firefighters, photographers, animators, and even a funeral director were by their booths, fielding questions from curious would-be professionals.
The aim of the afternoon was to educate the students as experienced practitioners in their field, rather than viewing it as a recruitment opportunity.
Interact President Leah Casey said the fair was a good opportunity for students of the school.
“They’re getting to talk to people who are in the professions that maybe they want to go into in the next few years,” she said.
Casey added that even if they don’t realize it at the moment, just talking to professionals can broaden a student’s horizon unexpectedly.
“It’s really helpful to know where you want to go in your life,” she said. “After talking to them and seeing the passion for their jobs, it can be life changing.”
Shane Mouland, who appeared on behalf of Barrett’s Funeral Home, was happy to educate those interested on the often overlooked mortuary industry.
“A lot of people don’t really think about who works there and the education they got to work there, so it’s nice to get out and represent that and answer questions the students may have,” he said.
For Mouland, working as a funeral director is a rewarding career.
“You help out so many people,” he said. “We all have to deal with death at some point in time. It’s nice to be here and represent that industry and shed light on what we do for people and grieving families.”
Casey said Interact worked very close with Rotary on the event, and credited the Rotarians as the main reason the event was possible.
“They secured all these career (advisors) and we’re really thankful they did that,” she said.