As the Hicksville School District works to provide students with continuity of learning through multiple online platforms, Hicksville High School hosted a two-day Virtual Career Day Inc. program to bring students together with professionals who represented a variety of careers.

Hicksville High School had planned to host a traditional career day in conjunction with the organization Career Day Inc. on April 3. Once schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hicksville High School Principal, Ray Williams, and Career Day Inc. Executive Director, Beth Bucheister, began working on an alternate plan to provide the forum remotely.

“We said to each other, ‘Let’s make this work,’” said Bucheister, who indicated Hicksville High School’s was the first virtual Career Day Inc. program. “Our thought was, just because we can’t be together doesn’t mean we can’t make this a meaningful experience for students. Hicksville High School was unbelievably supportive.”

After reviewing the original list of 81 presenters and looking closely at the most popular career interests of students, they developed a schedule for students to log on through Google Meet at different times over the course of the two days. They heard from as many as 11 professionals representing careers in different areas of the arts, education, engineering, fashion, finance, health care and law.

Students who pre-registered for the traditional career day were given first choice before opening the event to all high school students. Based on availability at the time, students had the opportunity to attend every session. Sessions averaged approximately 20 students, with Assistant Principal, Patrick Harris, Assistant Principal, Walter Roche and Bucheister, facilitating discussions. One session was led by Samantha Falkowski, a Hicksville High School Class of 2013 alumna, who works as the lead process improvement engineer at General Dynamics Electric Boat, which designs and constructs submarines for the U.S. Navy.

“We were happy to give our students an opportunity to hear from professionals in different careers and allow them to share how they were able to achieve success,” Williams said. “Thanks to Career Day Inc. and all of the speakers, they received valuable information to help them chart their personal career paths.”

Career Day, Inc. is a registered Nassau BOCES Exploratory Arts in Education Enrichment program that organizes programs at local high schools to inspire students through career choice awareness and to introduce students to paths others have taken to reach their professional goals.

Career Day Inc., a nonprofit affiliated with the Nassau BOCES Arts in Education Exploratory Enrichment program, held a full day event at the West Hempstead High School on Dec. 6th. Career Day Inc.,introduced students to careers by inviting more than 50 professionals from different industries to visit the school and speak on their experiences.

Beth Bucheister, executive director of Career Day Inc., kicked off the event by introducing keynote speaker Renee Daniel Flagler, executive director of Girls Inc. of Long Island. Flagler spoke to students about the vast range of career paths available to them in the presentation, "Empowering 21st Century Students to Get Paid Doing what They Love."

Different interactive sessions led by professionals in industries such as engineerings, hospitality, finance, media, law enforcement, education and healthcare. The speakers encouraged students to ask questions not only about their current position but also the journey it took to get there.

As a part of the Career Day Inc. program, Students have the opportunity to apply for the Arie A. Bucheister Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to a WHHS student who demonstrates the Career Day Inc. had a profound effect on their future goals, education or training.

Compiled by Nakeem Grant

Beth B. Bucheister
Executive Director
Career Day Inc.
917-548-0388
Beth@CareerDayInc.org