Pathway to the Top

West Valley Seniors Are Thinking About What’s Next After High School

In October, West Valley seniors had the opportunity to attend the “Pathway to the Top: Regional Career and College Expo” at the Yakima SunDome. This was an event for students to talk face-to-face with representatives from local companies, colleges from around the state and beyond, and several military branches.

“The fair is such a great way for students to get to discuss their questions with a person,” said Cory Kingsbury, high school counselor. Ms. Kingsbury added that websites are a great resource, but, she feels there are advantages to having conversations with representatives from companies and colleges that a student is interested in. These conversations can help students make decisions about their future and learn what steps to take next.

For senior Sofia Macias, her goal was to see what kinds of jobs she’d be able to get with a college major such as environmental policy. “With the subject I am choosing, I am not really sure if I can get a good job.” She made sure to address her concerns with both her targeted colleges and some of the employers who were in attendance, such as representatives from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sofia asked employers what kinds of positions they had that were related to environmental law or policy. She asked college representatives what kinds of jobs she would be able to get with an environmental science policy degree.

Student Brayden Edris said that his plans are still forming but he knows that his end goal is to become a sheriff. At the Pathway to the Top Expo, he wanted to see how many colleges had criminal justice programs. He also stopped by the Yakima Sheriff’s Office booth in the employer section to ask questions and run his plans by professionals who are actually working in that field. This is helping him make post-graduate plans related to his education, such as attending the Police Academy and doing recommended Ride-A-Longs.

“Learning to do their research, make a good impression, and grow their professional network are all great skills to hone regardless of what path a student chooses”, says Jessey Allen, Career and College Pathway Specialist for the West Valley School District. “Career fairs, like Pathway to the Top, provide students a place to do just that.”