On Friday, Feb. 19, Mater Dei will host its annual Career Day, an opportunity for juniors to discover more about occupations that are of interest to them. Speakers of specific fields including Mater Dei alumni visit the juniors to discuss their career experience and share advice on their paths beyond high school.

Counselor Arthur Aragon and Admissions Marketing & Alumni Relations Coordinator/Jr. Class Moderator Jennifer Hornbuckle ’03 are in charge of this year’s event.

“It is very important for juniors because they need to have a good idea of what they want to do in order to pick a good career choice during their senior year,” Aragon explained.

This important career driven day has dated back to 2001 and is believed to have been started during the 1998-1999 school year. This career day will have approximately 26 to 28 alumni speakers who will be spread throughout the campus classrooms to talk about their professions. The juniors have the opportunity in advance to pick two careers they are interested in before the actual day.

“Any bit of interest juniors have in a certain field – go for that one,” said Hornbuckle. “Be open to all information given because they may think their future careers will go one way and it doesn’t. Especially have fun, don’t be so serious!”

Current seniors reflected on their experience last year as juniors on career day.

“I think it was helpful because you could actually hear about the alumnus’ professional experience and how they got where they are today,” said senior Aliyah Forbes.

Senior Blake Danner said, “Pick something that you enjoy, that you are attracted to. It can really affect your life. Last year I learned more about the music industry.”