Hundreds of Socorro Independent School District elementary and middle school students learned about careers in teaching, marketing, health professions, and more, and the many programs of study they can seize in high school at the Career Awareness Showcase on Oct. 28 at Pebble Hills High School.
Fourth to eighth-grade students met with 41 businesses and industry partners, such as the El Paso Fire Department, El Paso County, University Medical Center, and New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering. Students also explored future career opportunities through Socorro ISD’s Career and Technical Education programs and academic academies.
“When they become freshmen, they do have to choose an endorsement or program of study, so we bring business and industry to them so (students) can see the different areas and the certifications they need to have,” said SISD Business and Industry Coordinator Brenda K. Gonzalez. “So, this gives them the ability to see a little bit of everything,”
This year’s showcase included a special presentation by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar who talked about her career in the U.S. Congress. She encouraged students to make a difference in their community by running for office someday.
“I think it's so important that our young kids, especially in El Paso, see somebody who has been really fortunate enough like me to serve in an important capacity, that they can do it. If they see it, they can be it,” Escobar said. “When I do meet with kids, I do try to plant that seed and tell them you can provide leadership for our community one day. If you study hard, you work hard, and you lead with your heart, you can do it.”
After the presentation, students like Isabela Lopez, a fifth grader at Purple Heart Elementary, asked Escobar about current events, how she convinces people to vote for her, and if being a politician is hard work. They were excited to hear how Escobar and her children met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on July 4.
"I was really inspired because of her career; it would be fun to do it," said Lopez, who was motivated to run for office someday. In addition to a career in politics, she was also interested in the Academy of Careers in Education and the veterinary technology program. "It was pretty exciting meeting her. I liked a lot of things, like how she said you can do anything, you can work in anything, you can run and vote."
Valentino Lynch, a seventh grader at Col. John O. Ensor Middle School, said he was glad to get a selfie with Escobar.
"It was very inspirational," Lynch said. "I loved how she believed anybody can do what they want."
He attended the showcase with his mom, Natiorka Lynch, and his sister, Luminaria Lynch, a fifth-grader at Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary.
Natiorka Lynch was familiar with the endorsements at Eastlake High School. But she was at the showcase because she wanted to learn about the programs available at the other schools that would best suit her children’s interests.
"There's probably a ton of other programs at other high schools that we probably have no idea about," Natiorka Lynch said. "Like Valentino wants to be in the FBI, so I wanted to find if there's better programming for him when he goes into high school to learn more about law. For Lumi, she loves art, and it's the same thing. So, it's wonderful to learn what best can support our children."
This year’s showcase also included a costume contest and a raffle for students and teachers.