The Three Village Industry Advisory Board (3V-IAB) hosted the annual district wide Career Carnival on Tuesday, February 10th, offering students the opportunity to explore a wide spectrum of career paths. Representatives from more than 80 businesses in the Three Village community spoke about their professions, daily responsibilities, and education or training required to enter their industry. Through this event, students were able to ask business leaders questions and gain firsthand insight into career opportunities they hadn’t previously considered.
In order to gain further insight into the planning behind the Career Carnival, Kaleidoscope interviewed Vice President Jeren Chi from the Three Village Industry Advisory Board.
Kaleidoscope: How did the 3V-IAB decide which career fields and professionals to include in the Career Carnival?
Jeren Chi: There’s a plethora of methods we used to gather businesses for us. We sent out surveys for the students to fill out and they selected whichever industry they’re most interested in, and then we focused on gathering businesses in those areas. We also sent out a survey to local businesses to get an idea of which industries we would expect. If we noticed any gaps in a specific industry, we made sure to hone in and really find any businesses that pertain to that specific industry and try to get them to come to the career carnival.
What do you hope students will take away from attending the Career Carnival?
I hope they spark an interest in their future career. That’s really what the Career Carnival is for. I hope they went around to as many stations as they could to find out something they’re interested in. They could have also asked for shadowing internships, although those positions are usually reserved for the older students. But regardless, I hope that students who came to the Carnival found something they’re really interested in and kick-started that journey.
Why do local professionals choose to volunteer their time for the Career Carnival?
Firstly, it’s really beneficial for local businesses to volunteer because it allows them to hold a greater presence in the community. Many Three Village residents, along with visitors from as far as Syosset, were able to attend this fair. It definitely helps them hold a stronger, more prominent presence in the community.
How has the Career Carnival grown or changed over the years, and do you have any plans to expand the event in the future?
The Career Carnival has definitely expanded over the years. Last year it was called Career Fair. We decided to change the name in order to accommodate the new theme as well as the additional businesses. We’ve also had many businesses choose to not return, which is sadly inevitable. In the future, we’re hoping to expand our preparation and make it better. At the beginning of the carnival, it was very hectic. Additionally, we could find more businesses and industries that we lack while also bringing in more student-run organizations. I brought my nonprofit, Payonia Medical Initiative, which was started in Syosset. I feel like it is really important to bring relevant things, especially as it helps peak students’ interest. It’s very inviting and welcoming to see the students come in and see peers at their table.
