Burrowes Elementary School transformed into a launchpad for career exploration as students embarked on a journey through the universe of possibilities during their annual Career Day. With all 16 career clusters represented, this year’s event marked a significant milestone in exposing third through fifth graders to diverse professional paths in a hands-on and engaging way.
Organized by School Counselor Lauren Clemens and Community School Director Dr. Alex Rohrer, the event featured more than 20 businesses and organizations, bringing in professionals from all 16 sectors and industries such as law enforcement, architecture, coding, finance, healthcare, marketing, and more. This immersive experience allowed students to interact with experts, participate in hands-on activities, and visualize themselves in careers they may not have previously considered.
“This is all about exploration,” said Burrowes ES Principal Michelle Duroni. “Students are getting to learn about different careers in their community and meet people doing jobs they love. The goal is to spark their curiosity and help them make connections between what they’re learning in school and the careers they might pursue in the future.”
A Space-Themed Experience to Make Career Learning Fun
This year’s Career Day was unlike any other. Taking inspiration from the limitless potential of students’ futures, Burrowes ES designed the event around a space theme, where each career cluster was represented as a different planet. From healthcare professionals to tradespeople, students traveled between stations to engage in hands-on learning experiences that went beyond simply hearing about different jobs.
“We wanted this to be more than just another career fair,” said Clemens. “We wanted to bring energy and excitement to the event so students would be truly engaged. That’s why we created this immersive space theme—it makes the experience more memorable and fun.”
Dr. Rohrer echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how important it was to make career exploration engaging at an early age.
“We are extra,” Dr. Rohrer joked. “And we do that on purpose! At the elementary school level, you have to bring excitement and energy to these types of events. This isn’t just about telling students about jobs—it’s about showing them, letting them touch, see, and experience these careers firsthand so they can truly start to imagine what’s possible for them.”
Why Early Career Exposure Matters
Research has shown that early exposure to a variety of career paths significantly impacts students’ long-term aspirations, particularly for those from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Phil Jago, Coordinator of College and Career Services K-12 for the district, highlighted the importance of these events in shaping students’ mindsets.
“There’s research that shows students, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, sometimes rule out careers simply because they don’t know anyone in those fields,” Jago explained. “That’s why today is so impactful. These students will see at least one career from every cluster, and they’ll get to meet professionals who reflect their own backgrounds. That representation is critical—it shows them that these careers are possible for them.”
Assistant Director of Student Services Korynn Wagner praised the dedication of the Burrowes team in organizing such a transformative event.
“This is an incredible opportunity for students to think about their futures in a meaningful way,” Wagner said. “They’re seeing how classroom learning translates into real-world careers. It’s inspiring to watch them engage in conversations, ask questions, and begin to imagine their own career paths.”
Community Collaboration Makes the Event Possible
Career Day at Burrowes was a community-wide effort. In addition to local businesses, parents, and professionals, members of the Army Reserve were on hand to assist with student transitions between activities. Students from other schools within the district, including Buehrle Academy and Burrowes ES alumni, making the event a true representation of the school community coming together to invest in the future.
Dr. Rohrer emphasized the importance of partnerships in making Career Day a success.
“We had people from the local community, parents who own businesses, school staff, and even Army Reserve volunteers helping out,” he said. “It’s a great way for our students to see careers up close and personal—and maybe even see someone who looks like them in a field they never considered.”
A Model for Career Readiness in SDoL
While Career Day at Burrowes is a standout event, career exploration is an integral part of education across the School District of Lancaster. Each school has unique ways of incorporating career readiness into students’ learning experiences, whether through fairs like this one, guest speakers, field trips, or monthly career-focused activities.
“Our goal is for every student to have access to these kinds of experiences,” Wagner said. “We’d love to see events like this expanded across the district. Every student deserves a chance to see what’s possible for their future.”
For now, Burrowes Elementary students are leaving Career Day with a renewed sense of excitement and an expanded view of what’s possible. The event proved that when it comes to students’ futures, the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.
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To view more photos from this event, click here.