At Reynolds Middle School, curiosity filled the halls as students explored what their futures could look like beyond the classroom. The school’s Career Day brought together 27 guest speakers and one keynote presenter to give students a glimpse into a wide range of professions and the many ways people find their purpose.
The day began with keynote speaker Gabrielle Thomas, whose message set the tone for what would follow. She spoke about the importance of choices, effort, and self-belief, reminding students that the habits they build today shape the opportunities they will have tomorrow. To keep students engaged, she brought several up on stage and turned her talk into a lively conversation about what success means and how it can look different for everyone.
From there, students in grades six through eight rotated through classrooms that had been transformed into learning spaces filled with professionals from across Lancaster County. Each presenter offered a window into a different career field, some familiar and others entirely new. Students met court reporters, a paralegal who had recently passed her bar exam, a food scientist, a rubber chemist, a published author, and professionals from healthcare, business, education, and the arts.
School Counselor Jodi Stauffer, who organized the event, said the goal was to expand students’ understanding of what is possible. “When you ask a middle schooler what they want to be when they grow up, you often hear the same answers such as a teacher, a doctor, or a police officer,” she said. “We want to show them there are hundreds of other paths they might never have heard of.”
For Stauffer, it was also important to highlight that success does not always follow a straight line. “One of our speakers became a paralegal and worked her way through college before passing the bar,” she explained. “Her story shows that the path may not always be typical or smooth, but with determination, it can lead exactly where you want to go.”
Throughout the day, classrooms buzzed with curiosity. Students asked questions about education requirements, job responsibilities, and what people love most about their work. Teachers guided reflection discussions and encouraged students to connect what they heard to their own interests and talents.
This year marked the school’s first Career Day with a keynote speaker and the most expansive lineup of professionals to date. Every teacher participated, helping to coordinate rotations and ensure students could engage fully in the experience.
Stauffer credited her colleagues for helping make the event a success. “It takes a team,” she said. “Our staff was so supportive, flexible, and positive throughout the day. And our students were amazing. They were respectful, engaged, and genuinely curious.”
Career Day has long been a favorite event for Stauffer, who sees it as an essential part of her role as a counselor. “Our job is to help students grow into confident, capable members of the community,” she said. “Career education gives them a chance to see what is out there and imagine themselves in the future. Years later, when former students reach out and tell me where they have landed, that is the best feeling in the world.”
By the end of the day, students walked away with more than just information. They left with inspiration. They discovered that success does not belong to one type of person or one kind of path. It belongs to anyone willing to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Thanks to the dedication of Reynolds staff, community partners, and the professionals who gave their time, this year’s Career Day opened doors to new dreams and reminded every student that their future is full of possibility. For more photos, visit us on Facebook.