Greenlawn: On November 14, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R - 18th L.D.) participated in the Harborfields Career Connect, Trade and Talent Expo at Harborfields High School. The goal of the interactive event was to provide students with a wide variety of options for their post-high school years in an ever-changing economy.
The program began with a forum in the auditorium, where student heard from representatives of different occupations who shared stories about their career journeys. The resounding message in the room was that college might be a great option, but not necessarily the only one.
“Going to college is the natural next step for many students, but there are so many other options that can be just as worthwhile,” said Bontempi. “There are tons of fields that are desperate for workers, and some employers offer fantastic paid apprenticeships. Overlooking these alternative opportunities would be a big miss, as they can be lucrative and rewarding.”
After the forum, the students made their way to the gymnasium, where they had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives from the United States military, trade schools, colleges and businesses.
“As a former educator, I know the value of providing information and choices to students when they are planning their next steps in life,” added Bontempi. “This expo should serve as a model for other school districts around the State of New York, and even the country.”