At the School District of Lancaster, our mission is rooted in ensuring that every student is inspired, empowered, and prepared for their future. That mission came alive recently at Jackson Middle School during its annual schoolwide Career Day, a day that reminds us just how powerful early exposure, representation, and community connection can be.
Organized by school counselor Meredith Sefcik, Jackson’s Career Day brought together over 30 professionals from a diverse range of industries, each one stepping into our classrooms to share their stories and career paths.
Every student in the building, from sixth through eighth grade, had the chance to attend four different career presentations throughout the day. The schedule was thoughtfully designed so that each group rotated between presenters, getting a well-rounded look at what work looks like in different fields: healthcare, trades, public service, small business, creative industries, and more. The goal was to give students the space to explore, ask questions, and begin imagining the many different paths their futures might take.
“Part of college and career readiness is exposing students to different options at a young age,” said Sefcik. “We want them to explore different avenues, see how what they’re learning now connects to real life, and start building connections that might help them later.”
One of the most meaningful aspects of this year’s event was the intentional focus on representation. Several of the presenters were former Jackson students themselves, now professionals who once sat in the same classrooms. Seeing someone from your neighborhood who has gone on to build a successful career can be a powerful motivator. It tells students, this could be you too.
Phil Jago, the district’s coordinator of college and career services, emphasized the importance of this kind of experience, especially during middle school. “This is a crucial time when students begin to form a clearer idea of who they are and what they might want to do. When they see someone who looks like them or speaks their language in a professional setting, it becomes easier to picture themselves in those roles.”
That was especially true for students in Jackson’s English Language Development classes. This year, the team made a special effort to invite native speakers of Spanish, Swahili, and Arabic to present to multilingual learners. Among them was Mohamed Najawi, a special education paraprofessional from McCaskey High School, who spoke to Arabic-speaking students about his journey. According to Sefcik, the moment was one of the day’s highlights. “It was so cool to see the kids fully engaged. Hearing someone speak to them in their home language, sharing a personal story, it really resonated.”
Career Day also brought energy and curiosity into the building for staff and presenters alike. Teachers had the chance to watch their students interact with guests from the community, ask thoughtful questions, and spark new interests. Presenters remarked on how engaged and curious the students were throughout the day.
While organizing an event of this size can be a bit stressful, Sefcik shared that the payoff is always worth it. “It’s exciting to see the full range of careers represented and to know that the kids are walking away with something they didn’t have before, maybe it’s inspiration, maybe it’s a new idea, or maybe it’s just the beginning of a longer journey. That’s the goal.”
Career Day at Jackson wasn’t just about the jobs people do. It was about building bridges between school and career, between students and community, between imagination and reality. We are grateful to every presenter who took time to be part of this day, and to the Jackson staff who worked together to make it happen.
Events like these remind us that learning is not confined to textbooks and tests. When students meet real people doing real work, and see reflections of themselves in those stories, they start to understand what’s possible. And when that happens, the future starts to feel a little closer.
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