Ninth graders got a glimpse of the future as the Ames Campus hosted its 19th annual Alumni Career Day on April 24. The program featured 23 graduates of Berner or Massapequa high schools, who shared information about a wide range of careers.
All students attended two panel discussions, each about an hour long. During that time, presenters spoke about their respective careers as well as their individual professional journeys. Many shared that they are now in jobs they never envisioned when they were younger. The sessions ended with a few minutes of time for ninth graders to talk one-on-one with presenters.
The graduates spanned from as far back as 1967 to as recent as 2021. They spanned multiple professions including business, education, engineering, government, health care, hospitality and law enforcement. With Career Day a nearly two decade-long tradition, several of the presenters were once in the audience as Ames students.
Alumni Career Day was organized by Career and Technical Education Supervisor Patricia LiVecchi, School-to-Career Coordinator Denise DeLury and business education teacher Christine Poggioli. Career and Community Connections teachers Sal Calderone and Kathleen Wegener also organized a presentation for their students, including a current Massapequa High School student who works for Sweet Clementine’s and a graduate who owns a business making garden gnomes.
Ms. DeLury said that speakers discussed their job responsibilities and qualifications, as well as how their experiences as Massapequa students helped launch their journeys.
“They all spoke very passionately about their careers,” Ms. DeLury said. “That’s a very important message for our students – to find something that you love. Students could see how their experiences in Massapequa schools shaped them into the successful individuals they are today.”
Ninth grader Mia Cespites said she enjoyed the panels she attended, particularly learning about careers as an ASL interpreter, nurse and police officer. Two pieces of advice stuck with her – it’s OK to fail if you keep trying, and it’s important to make connections with other people.
Genevieve Geritano noted how many of the speakers have changed professions at least one time, as they took advantage of opportunities that came to them, even if unexpected.
“It was really interesting to think that you’re going to do one thing in life,” she said, “and then make a complete career change and still be successful.”