On Nov. 6, Ashley Ridge High School students got a sneak peak into what their futures may hold.
At the school’s career fair, representatives from local colleges, a variety of professions and the military conversed with students about the endless possibilities that await them upon graduating high school.
For several hours, lawyers, pharmacists, accountants and engineers were among the professionals that answered students’ questions about the day-to-day operations their jobs entail, the qualifications students must attain and the level of education necessary to pursue a job in their respective industries.  
The goal of the career fair was not only to open the students’ eyes to the myriad opportunities they have, but also to give them a chance to have their questions answered by the very people who went through the same journeys that the students will soon undertake, said Ashley Ridge High School Career Specialist Pat Bradley.
“We have representatives from all 16 career clusters so we make sure that every student has a chance to talk directly with people who are in professions that interest them,” Bradley said. “There’s no better way to learn about a career than to speak with a knowledgeable person in that profession.”
In all, there were more than two dozen companies, colleges and military branches present at the career fair. Each had their own table, which allowed students to spend as much as time they needed asking questions to the people whose careers most interested them.
In many cases, the students were given handouts for future reference as well as the contact information of the professionals they spoke with so they could reach them should they have further questions at a later date.
Ashley Ridge may not yet have a senior class, but many of the ninth-, 10th- and 11th-graders who attended the career fair looked more than happy to get a head start on their futures.

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com