MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Students at F.I.R.S.T. School got a glimpse into their futures during a successful Career Day on August 1, hosted in conjunction with Foundations for Living. The event was designed to expose students to a variety of career paths and address critical skill gaps in securing employment.
Principal Vanessa Wagner described the event as “one of the largest and most important” the school hosts, thanks to the participation of businesses and educational entities. “This year’s Career Day experience was the best yet, thanks to the many businesses and community members who took the time to participate,” Wagner said.
The day was split into two sessions. The morning provided students with the opportunity to hear from a rotating number of professionals and ask questions about their jobs. In the afternoon, students participated in mock interviews and a mini job fair. In addition, F.I.R.S.T. intervention specialist Vivian Brownlow led a class on the FAFSA application, while Transition Coordinator Chris Jones guided students through the employment application process.
Jones, who organized the event, credited his networking opportunities at MOESC’s Teacher Boot Camps for bringing in 13 speakers from Richland, Morrow, and Crawford counties. The diverse group of speakers included representatives from Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, the 179th Cyber Wing Ohio Air National Guard, Marion Technical College, The Ohio State University, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, among others.
A highlight of the day was a presentation by Tom Gaslow of ASM International, a retired NASA technologist with over five decades of service. Gaslow, who came prepared with what he called “bags of magical things,” brought science to life with items like a 4,000-year-old artifact, a meteorite, and a space shuttle tile.
“Our students often have limited opportunities to explore the world of work and learn about different career paths,” explained Vivian Brownlow. “Students not only learned about a variety of professions but also took part in hands-on activities led by experts in their fields, making the experience engaging, inspiring, and memorable.”