The Science,Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program is held a career fair April 4. This open house provides students and families the ability to learn from 50 STEM and healthcare professionals. Along with professionals, Massanutten Technical Center (MTC) and Rockingham Memorial Hospital (RMH) representatives will be sharing presentations. Serving as the STEM president, senior Sophia Yoder is helping host this event.

“One of our big things for this career fair was including different kinds of jobs. Whether that means you go to college or you don’t. MTC is a good option where students can go and get certification without going to college,” Yoder said.

Yoder was able to find professionals around town to come and present at the open house.

“HHS has an internship class or mentorship class. As a member of the STEM academy, you have to take mentorship, so we have lots of connections to businesses in our community,” Yoder said.

Not every students’ plan is to pursue college, there are many other career paths to look forward to and this open house is an opportunity to learn more about what other paths to take.

“I hope students will find jobs that they haven’t really considered before. Also if students are questioning what they want to do after high school, they will kind of figure that out and find what steps they need to take,” Yoder said.

This is STEM’s first year holding a career fair and Yoder is looking forward to seeing the outcome.

“It’s been really fun to plan because I have [been able] to connect with a lot of businesses. I think it’s going to be really cool to see students interact with these different tables and presentations and find what interests them,” Yoder said.

Yoder has spent lots of time planning out this event.

“I have done a lot of emailing, probably over a 100 different businesses. I’ve reached out to them and then a lot of planning and scheduling to make it all work for this day,” Yoder said.

Over the past four years, Yoder has been involved in STEM.

“I love STEM. I started as a freshman and I’m president this year. It’s been a really good opportunity to figure out what I want to do next year in college and also a good leadership experience for me.”

STEM offers a lot of different opportunities and pathways depending on the career students are interested in.

“There’s a lot of things that students can find even if they don’t think they are interested in STEM. I think there is always a career out there that would fit,” Yoder said.

As the president, Yoder advises students to take advantage of the opportunities given.

“Take advantage of all the opportunities that you’re given and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, if that means sending an email to a business to see if they have an internship. There’s no harm in taking advantage of that opportunity and seeing what that will give you,” Yoder said.