Career day allows for eighth grade students to discover different courses and clubs that might spike their interests, and they get the chance to hear from people who have already taken the courses to see what might bring them inspiration. During lunch on Jan. 15, Sartartia Middle School hosted their own career day, and their students were able to go down to the gym and see the different booths set up by various high schools in the district.
“I remember really enjoying it when I was in eighth grade,” senior Cathy Zhou said. “I’ve loved sharing my high school experience with them.”
Zhou managed the DECA booth and part of the athletic booth. She is also in student council, track and cross country, which are “such a great opportunity for volunteering, leadership and collaboration,” Zhou said.
“It’s important because they can see the options that they have,” junior Madalyn Crandall said. “So that they don’t feel like they’re just limited to what’s a course selection.”
Many middle schoolers can be unsure of what kinds of clubs or courses they would want to take in the future, so hearing opinions from experienced highschoolers can give them new ideas.
“I told them that grades do not define who you are,” Zhou said. “Finding your group is very important. There are so many sports and clubs you can join, and it will make your high school experience so much better.”
As students moved from booth to booth, many stopped to ask questions about workload, time commitment and what each club was really like. In the end, Career Day isn’t just about advertising clubs, it’s about helping students imagine themselves in new roles.
“Middle schoolers often don’t realize how many opportunities open up once they get to high school,” Peer Assistance and Leadership (PALS) teacher Tracey Kelly said. “Today gives them a chance to picture a version of themselves they haven’t met yet.”
By the end of the event, the gym was buzzing with conversations, laughter and new ideas. Career Day didn’t just introduce clubs, it introduced possibilities. It reminded incoming students that high school is not a place to fear, but a place to grow, experiment and build a community that feels like home.
“Every year the seventh graders are always excited to be an eighth grader so they can figure out what they want to do,” Kelly said.
Creating lasting memories are important to enjoy high school. Having a way to make new friends is an unforgettable way to begin a journey. By planting the seed for those memories for middle schoolers, it makes the atmosphere more welcoming for a good high school experience, so they have more fun shaping it how they prefer. As the eighth grade students returned to class, many carried brochures, stickers and small souvenirs from the booths. But more importantly, they carried a sense of excitement.
“Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to spark an interest that lasts all four years,” Kelly said.
