jumpstartFOR JUNIORS

Inaugural “IGNITE” Career Day Gives Students a Chance to Explore Future Professions

Over 40 professionals – community members, parents, and PRS alumni –helped launch the first-ever Pacific Ridge “Ignite” Career Day. The event kicked off with an insightful panel discussion and then students met with one to two professionals in small group roundtable discussions based on areas of career interest. Each student participated in two 20-minute roundtable sessions.

“A lot of times, career days are offered as more of a fair environment, a big walk around,” said Eva Schmidt, Director of Innovation & NExT Internship Program and creator of Ignite. “But I was drawn to the potential for small conversations and how these conversations fit with our Harkness model – allowing students the opportunity to discover each professional’s path. Maybe this person’s title is director of engineering at a large company, but what are all the smaller steps they took along the way to get there.”

The event was designed to align with the arc of our junior year curriculum, which also includes the Junior Launch program led by College Guidance and the junior class interview project, through which students interview a professional in a career of interest about their vocational path and profession.

Haley Esbeck ‘24 participated in an Ignite roundtable on construction management and another focused specifically on architecture.

“I’m interested in architecture in general,” said Esbeck. “So it was interesting for me to hear from people who actually get the buildings built, and then connecting with architects who work on residential and commercial projects was really helpful. I’m going to be interviewing one of them for my Junior project!”

Share your professional experience and advice!

PRS offers many opportunities to connect students with career insight and industry opportunities.

Spark Sessions

These informal lunchtime gatherings offer students the chance to speak with and learn from local professionals about their careers.

Internships

Our talented students are ready to contribute to local businesses and eager for opportunities. If your workplace is interested in partnering with PRS, please let us know.

Ignite 2023

We’re gathering a contact list for Ignite career day 2023. Please contact Eva Schmidt at eschmidt@pacificridge.org to share your professional experience, internships and advice with PRS students.