29 Aug 2003
Event Features Career Advice, Tips on Selecting, Getting In and Paying for College
DALLAS–To learn about careers and higher education opportunities, Dallas Independent School District students in grades eight through 12 and their parents are encouraged to attend a career and college fair Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center.
Professionals from a variety of fields will share information with students about the rigors and requirements of their careers and how students can prepare themselves to enter these fields. Representatives from colleges, universities and trade schools across the country will be on hand to talk with students and parents about subjects like admission and testing requirements, financial aid opportunities and the challenges and benefits of a college education.
Admission and transportation to the event are free, however, students and parents are urged to pre-register by obtaining forms and information from DISD middle and high school counselors. DISD will provide buses from high schools and middle schools at 8 a.m.
The 6th annual Career Exposure Forum and College Fair is a joint project of DISD and the CAAPCO Foundation.
CAAPCO Foundation president Nick Pittman said preparations are being made for the several thousand students expected to attend the event. He strongly encourages parents to attend as well.
"The decision about whether to attend college is a life-changing one that students should make with the guidance and involvement of parents," Pittman said. "The decision to attend college is often directly related to a student's interest and knowledge about potential careers. We want students and parents to be armed with as much data as possible as they make these decisions."
DISD Executive Manager for Student Services, Linda Perez Yater, said the event is an extension of the district's efforts to inform parents and students about career and college options.
"This event underscores the work schools do with students year round to help them make the connection between school work, test scores, grades, and their future opportunities," Yater said. "We know that students are making early decisions about the worth of staying in school. We want to provide information that helps students see that with a good education they have more options for their future."
The event will feature student workshops on topics like College 101–a glimpse at day-to-day life in college; After High School, Then What? –options for life after high school; So You Want to Be an Engineer–the behind-the-scenes professionals in the electronic games industry; and what it takes to succeed in careers in the accounting field.
Workshops for parents will include one parent's story of how she single-handedly obtained nearly $15,000 in scholarships for her child; Keeping Kids Drug Free; Smoothing Your Child's Transition from Middle to High School; and College 101 for Parents–what parents can expect when kids go off to school.
For information, parents may call (972) 749-2504.