Exploring pathways: WPHS fair connects students with careers, trades and service

Hundreds of White Plains High School students descended on the Trade, Vocation and Civil Service Fair on Wednesday to mingle with recruiters from a wide array of careers and pepper them with questions about possible pathways.

Dozens of representatives from the military, local and New York State law enforcement, firefighting, health care, construction, unions and more set up tables during lunchtime to speak with students about hands-on professions as an alternative to college.

“This is actually our fourth year doing this event,” said Principal Emerly Martinez. “We want to make sure that our students have as many opportunities as possible … while absolutely we’re committed to providing students the ability to move on to higher education, we want to make sure that they know all their options.”

What began as a modest gathering has expanded into an expansive fair with more than two dozen participants, reflecting both student interest and a deliberate push by the school counseling team.

Assistant Principal Sara Hall said the effort started with a simple realization.

“As a school counseling department, we identified an area of need for us to grow our own knowledge around the trades and the vocational world,” she said. “We started small… and now we’re here!”

Along the way, misconceptions have been challenged. Students are learning that the choice isn’t always college or career — often, it’s both.

“A lot of the trades pay for you to get your associate’s degree,” Ms. Hall said. “We want our kids to have access to everything … so they’re making a very sound decision.”

Counselors had provided a list of questions — about training requirements, certifications, starting salaries and apprenticeships — turning casual conversations into real-world research.

Sophomore Jacob Santiago, after speaking with White Plains police recruiters, was already envisioning his future.

“My interest is either to do police or medical, but most likely tactical medical police,” he said, noting his father’s work in law enforcement as a detective in New York City. “I really like this event because you can see other jobs and everything about them.”

White Plains Police Lt. Christina Spano described the fair as a chance to connect early with potential recruits.

“This is a great opportunity for us to reach some of the kids that are approaching graduation,” she said, pointing them toward an open exam and outlining the steps needed to apply.

Across the room, aviation recruiter Buse Gur, a student pilot at the Academy of Aviation, was offering a different kind of horizon.

“We train students from zero experience all the way to instructor ratings,” she said. “It’s one of the jobs where you get paid to travel the world… it’s a lifestyle.”

A growing percentage of students are exploring the trades, military and workforce options each year, officials said.

For school counselor Jeff Hirsch, who helped organize the event, the payoff is in the exposure.

“This is a great opportunity for students who are exploring different pathways that may not include college,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to expose our kids to all the things that are out there post-secondary.”

The fair also underscored something bigger than individual career choices: a growing network of partnerships between the school and the community. Support from local leaders, unions and organizations has helped expand opportunities — and will continue to do so.

“We are building stronger relationships, so they will come in at other times throughout the year. That building next door really represents that,” said Mr. Martinez, referring to the new addition, which will focus on career and technical education.

The principal noted that the addition is expected to deepen that work, potentially expanding programs in areas like pharmacy tech, cybersecurity and sports medicine.

Kara McCormick-Lyons, an English teacher and president of the White Plains Teachers Association, said the fair reflects an important shift in how success is defined.

“It’s really important that we talk about college and career readiness and talk about the career readiness part of this,” she said.

Also on hand were recruiters from Empress EMS, the Finishing Trades Institute, Westchester School of Beauty, the New York School of Esthetics, the veterinary technician program at Westchester Community College, and White Plains Youth Bureau, Department of Public Works and Parks and Recreation, among others.

By the end of the bustling event, the room had quieted, but the conversations lingered — in new interests sparked, new questions raised and new possibilities beginning to take shape for the young scholars.