18 Aug 2004
Event Theme is 'Connecting Students with Career Choices'
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. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center, 650 S. Griffin St.
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 will be available to talk to participants about admission and testing requirements, financial aid opportunities and the challenges and benefits of a college education. "We see this event as a great resource to help prepare young people to achieve their dream careers," said CAAPCO Foundation president, Nick Pittman.
The 7th annual Career Exposure Forum and College Fair is a joint project of DISD, the CAAPCO Foundation and Las Llaves del Exíto, a community organization that assists parents and students in preparing for college.
The event will feature student workshops on topics like What to Expect from High School; Life in College, and You Don't Have to Be Rich to Go to College.
While students are learning about college and careers parents may choose from more than 20 workshops being presented at the event by the district's Parent Involvement and Training Department, including such sessions as DISD 101–How Your School System Functions and Parent Involvement–How to Advocate for Your Child.
Workshops like College 101–How Much Money is enough? and Is Your Child on the Track for College? will teach parents how to develop a financial plan to send their child to college and how to set higher education expectations for children as early as elementary school. Parents with concerns about paying for college can glean tips from a parent panel whose members will share their experience about finding the money to fund higher education.
Pittman, motivated by his own early lack of knowledge about college and careers he encountered when he was young, hopes this event will motivate students to think early about what they want to accomplish in the future.
"I want to make sure our students have all the information they need to choose their careers early and go on to college to get started on the right path to make their dreams come true," Pittman said.
Admission, lunch 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. Buses will depart from participating high schools and middle schools at 8:15 a.m. No childcare will be provided.
For information, parents may call (972) 749-2504; for Spanish call (972) 925-3700.