Dressed professionally and armed with their “about-me” elevator pitches, students at Houston Independent School District’s Chavez High School competed in the Career Day Showcase on July 15.

Put on by Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment (CASE) for Kids at the Charlton Community Center, the event gave participants the platform to set their dreams and aspirations into motion. The summer project pushed students to assess their values and skills and then project their fit in the workplace and the path needed to achieve futures goals.

Students designed and decorated tri-fold boards, including information about themselves, the selected future career – with education requirements and labor marker information attached – and other long-term goals. Among the professions were storm chaser, art teacher, propulsion engineer, chef and pediatrician.

Community Members and CASE for Kids staff visited each student to judge the displays and career pitches. Division staff also conducted mock interviews with students, giving them a foundation for confidence and professionals skills.

The summer project was a rousing success, as participants were celebrated for their research and self-assessment. These building blocks in a supportive environment will assist students as they grow professionally.