News

College and Career Showcase

Ankeny High and Ankeny Centennial students recently had the opportunity to attend a college and career showcase at their respective schools. This event provided a platform for students to interact with numerous businesses and colleges. Amy Steenhoek, the Post Secondary Readiness Specialist for Ankeny Schools, praised the extensive preparation by counselors for the 11th graders. This included discussing students’ interests, informing them about attending exhibitors, and explaining the event’s passport system, where engaging with six exhibitors qualified students for a prize raffle.

Steenhoek emphasized the students’ readiness, highlighting their etiquette, elevator pitches, and conversational skills with adults. The impressive turnout of 70 vendors at each high school underscored the eagerness of the workforce to engage with young individuals, bridging the gap between education and career.

Mici Vos, a counselor at Ankeny High, expressed satisfaction in enabling students to interact with professionals, providing invaluable real-world insights to shape their post-secondary plans. Senior Jayden Vavroch secured an on-site visit with the prestigious beauty brand, Aveda, showcasing tangible opportunities stemming from the showcase. Kelly Andrews, another counselor at AHS, stressed the importance of exposing students to diverse career paths, acknowledging that informed decisions, even leading to a “no,” play a crucial role in guiding students toward suitable career paths.

“I visited all the healthcare booths, and it was incredibly helpful because I learned a lot about the careers within the healthcare pathway. It truly involves a myriad of people and careers! I had no idea that there was such high demand for healthcare jobs.” – Brooklynn Broussard, 11th Grade, AHS

“I particularly enjoyed chatting with representatives from Fire Science & EMT. It sounds like a career filled with variety and great rewards. The biggest eye-opener for me was discovering the multitude of career options within the healthcare pathway.” – Hanna Bayomi, 11th Grade, AHS

Through collaboration with English and Literature teachers, the schools ensured comprehensive preparation, including self-exploration activities, to equip students for the showcase. Andrews emphasized the event’s significance in guiding students towards informed post-graduation plans, instilling confidence to explore various career avenues as they transition into senior year and beyond.