JD Disturco, News Editor
@JDDcourant
Photo contributed by Sarah Wrede
Biannually, the Parent Faculty Association (PFA) hosts Career Night, where people in the workforce speak at the high school as panelists. Panels range from culinary, law, medical, real estate, and more. Students are allowed to attend three panels of their choice on Career Night, Wednesday, March 12. The night opens at 6:45, with the first panel beginning at 7.
Career Night allows students to hear people talk about their experiences in fields that interest them. PFA Co-Chairs Heather Boulanger and Tara Schneberger are in charge of recruiting speakers for the night. “This year we’ve been trying to recruit a wider variety of panelists,” said Ms. Schneberger. “Not just by career but by experience in the careers themselves.”
On Wednesday, there will be 17 different rooms that students can choose between, each with three panelists. “There should be two to three experts in each room, ranging from somebody who’s at the start of their career to someone who’s at the top of their career,” said Ms. Schneberger. “It should give students a good idea of how different industries draw people in and what their educational backgrounds are.”
After the panelists are chosen, Susan Carroll, the Coordinator of the College and Career Center, reviews them. Ms. Carroll was enthusiastic about the assortment of panelists. “We have an incredible amount of diversity this year,” said Ms. Carroll. It helps to inspire the students to find a passion.”
Alongside this, Ms. Schneberger, Ms. Boulanger, and Ms. Carroll targeted a variety of NCHS alums. “We have targeted a lot of alums this year,” said Ms. Carroll. “It’s exciting to think that you could be in a room with the expert who had some of the same teachers that you have, who walked the same hallways, who felt the same kind of stresses you all feel.”
NCHS alums that are attending consist of Fox News reporter and former Courant writer Brooke Singman, Filmmaker David Cox, and Marketing Manager at Condé Nast in New York, Page Jones.
Furthermore, Career Night will also feature a variety of successful workforce members, most notably the CEO of communications at the Glasshouse, the editor-in-chief of CTbites, the Executive director at New Canaan Cares, and a professor at John Jay at the College of Criminal Justice. All the panelists have volunteered their free time to speak to NCHS students.
Each 30-minute block will begin with brief introductions from the panelists, stating who they are, where they work, and how long they have been in their respective industries. After that, the remaining time will be used for Q&A from the student audience. The students will be able to ask the panelists a plethora of questions regarding their experience. An extra passing time between blocks is added to ensure that every student can get a response to their questions.
All Seniors participating in the Senior Internship Program are required to attend, but everyone else is highly encouraged to. “Seniors are mandated to go, but we’re hoping that a lot of underclassmen will come, ” said Ms. Schneberger. “Especially juniors, since this will be their last chance before they graduate.”
Additionally, to engage more people in Career Night, the PFA has advised teachers not to assign homework on Wednesday night. “Our teachers work so hard, and we’re asking them not to give you any homework that night and instead advise you to come to career night,” said Ms. Carroll. “This way students can fully participate in the event.”
Career night is mutually beneficial for both the students and the panelists. “Some panelists don’t have teenagers living in their homes,” said Ms. Carroll. “So for them to come in and see how exceptional New Canaan High School students are, whether they are freshmen or seniors, allows them to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse strengths, passions, and potential that our students embody.”
Alongside this, Career Night facilitates a sense of community within New Canaan and neighboring towns. “Career night is bigger than just New Canaan High School, it’s a great community event,” said Ms. Carroll. “It brings together students, families, and professionals from all over, creating valuable connections and fostering a spirit of collaboration that benefits everyone involved.”
