ISD Students Explore Careers at Great Careers Event 

More than 120 high school students from across the district recently explored apprenticeships, certifications and licenses, military service, trade and technical programs, two-year college programs and workforce options that they may want to choose after high school. Attending the annual “Great Careers” event on March 3 helped our students learn more about potential careers and pathways.

This year's event took place at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech). Students connected with local organizations in the expo hall, learning about in-demand careers in fields such as healthcare, public safety, transportation, and the trades. One student shared that the most valuable part of the event was "the ability to talk with people about their jobs."

Another student agreed: "The open discussions with [exhibitors] provided me with the valuable insight of people actually working in the fields I'm interested in."  Students also toured several exciting programs offered at LWTech, such as Auto Repair & Auto Body, Baking, Digital Gaming, Dental Assisting & Dental Hygiene, Diesel & Heavy Equipment, Machining, and Nursing. They were able to explore the campus, hear from instructors, and even enjoy a baked good made by LWTech students. This year, students could also have a professional headshot taken by an ISD student photographer and attend a "Find Your Why" session offered by LWTech Career Services.

Great Careers provides students with the opportunity to explore careers they're interested in, and potentially ones they've never considered. One chaperone shared, "[Because they attended Great Careers], one of our seniors now wants to join the Funeral Services program at LWTech!" Another chaperone shared that this event encouraged their students to "think about earning potential, schooling, and what their next steps would be."

To learn more about Great Careers, you can visit the event webpage. Great Careers 2027 will be offered next winter at Renton Technical College. Stay tuned for more information! Each Issaquah School District high school offers many career-related resources and events throughout the school year. Students and families can check with their school's College & Career Center for details.

Great Careers is an annual event hosted by the Issaquah School District and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Issaquah Schools Foundation, City of Issaquah, and three local educational institutions: Bellevue College, Renton Technical College, and Lake Washington Institute of Technology.