As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 161,500 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken.  Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 18,678 employees including 10,000 teachers in 218 schools.

Career and College Fair

24 Aug 2001

Beyond High School Graduation

Career and College Fair Opens Doors to More Opportunities

for DISD Schoolchildren

Mapping out a future after graduating from the Dallas Independent School District is the focus of the fourth annual career and college fair scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, in Hall A of the Dallas Convention Center.

A joint partnership between CAAPCO Foundation and DISD, the Career Exposure Forum and College Fair will introduce students in grades eight to twelve and their parents to an avalanche of information about college choices and career opportunities.

"As educators, we must always prepare our students for life beyond their final year in high school," Dr. Moses, DISD general superintendent, said. "By participating in the career and college fair, our students will get the opportunity to explore their options with local professionals and college recruiters."

Free, the fair is expected to attract more than 1,000 students. Approximately 100 professionals will be on hand to talk to students about careers ranging from accounting to education to media. To learn valuable admissions, financial aid and scholarship information, students will be able to visit with more than 75 local, state and national colleges, universities and trade schools. Also, a smorgasbord of workshops will be presented on topics such as dressing for success, how to choose a career and how to find college financing.

Nine DISD seniors will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The nine scholarships are funded in part by the lead corporate sponsor: State Farm Insurance Company. The scholarships will be awarded on the day of the event. Only seniors are eligible for the scholarships, and they must be present to win.

The DISD's partner, the CAAPCO Foundation, is a coalition of professional and community organizations. CAAPCO Chairman Nick Pittman said the foundation is sponsoring this all-day event to provide students and their parents with the information to make wiser decisions.

"A lot of students are not exposed to a wide variety of educational opportunities and career choices," he said. "The fair provides these young people with the opportunity to talk to representatives of colleges and trade schools. It gives them firsthand exposure to a variety of career paths they can pursue."

Students should contact their school counselor to register and get information about free transportation to the event. For more information about the Fourth Annual Career Exposure Forum and College Fair, contact Leta Durrett at (972) 749-2594 or visit www.dallasisd.org