At McCaskey High School, the arts were not treated as an extracurricular interest or a side passion. They were centered as serious, viable career pathways during the school’s first Art Cluster Career Fair, an event that marked a thoughtful shift in how students explore their futures.
The fair brought 11 community professionals into the building, each representing careers across the arts, audiovisual production, and communications. They offered students something that is often missing from traditional career conversations. Visibility. Students were able to speak directly with people who are actively working in creative industries, ask honest questions, and hear real stories about how artistic interests can translate into meaningful and sustainable careers.
This event was also a first in structure. Rather than hosting one large, general career fair, McCaskey has moved toward career fairs organized by clusters. According to Jaden LaCoe, Pathways Adviser, this approach is about being more intentional and more responsive to students.
“This year, we are doing career fairs by career clusters instead of one big career fair,” LaCoe explained. “It makes it easier to target students and connect directly with teachers who work with those students every day. Instead of trying to reach everyone, we can focus on the students who are already curious or invested in these areas.”
That focus was evident throughout the day. Art classrooms and creative spaces became hubs of conversation. Students who might not have attended a large, general career fair felt seen and welcomed. Teachers were able to encourage participation in a way that felt relevant and personal.
One of the most important goals of the Art Cluster Career Fair was to challenge a common misconception about the arts. That creative careers are not financially viable.
“There’s a belief that people in the arts don’t make money,” LaCoe said. “But having 11 tables here shows that people do make a living in these fields. You can build a career, support yourself, and still do work that matters to you.”
For many students, this message was affirming. Some arrived with a general interest in art but no clear idea of what that could become. Others already had creative goals but were unsure how realistic those goals were. By speaking with professionals who had navigated similar questions, students gained clarity and confidence.
The fair also closely aligned with the mission of the Future Ready Center, which supports students in exploring postsecondary options, whether that path leads to college, technical training, or directly into the workforce. Events like this one help students move from abstract interests to concrete possibilities.
“So many students come in saying, ‘I like art,’” LaCoe shared. “Then they realize there are careers within the arts that they didn’t even know existed. It becomes a space for exploration, but also for making important connections for the future.”
Those connections matter. They remind students that their interests have value and that their creativity can lead somewhere real. They also show students that the community is invested in them and willing to show up, share knowledge, and open doors.
The McCaskey Art Cluster Career Fair was a statement about how SDoL approaches student potential. By meeting students where they are, honoring their interests, and connecting them with real-world opportunities, the district continues to build pathways that feel relevant, accessible, and grounded in possibility.
At McCaskey, creativity was not framed as a risk. It was framed as a future.
