By Todd Martin
Special to the Daily Herald
Sparking discussions to build bridges to the future, Pathways Academic Campus hosted its college and career day Friday.
Students cycled through a showcase of tables in the school’s cafeteria featuring area colleges, the Killeen Independent School District Career Center, U.S. Army and other area employers.
Pathways principal Bobbie Reeders said the event has a way of initiating conversations that lead to ideas and choices for students.
One area included representatives of the district’s Career Center, the campus under construction adjacent to Pathways set to open this August.
It will offer an array in courses including television production, auto mechanics, agriculture services, computer programming and video game design.
Heather Syvertson, a Pathways junior, and friends visited several tables. She said she had planned to join the Army after graduation. But during the school career fair, she met a representative from the Army National Guard and learned about serving in the Guard to pay for her schooling.
She plans to enter law enforcement.
“That got me to thinking,” she said, echoing what her principal said she hoped would happen, students considering their many options after high school.
High school students also picked up information from Central Texas College, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Lincoln College of Technology and The Art Institute.
Dayna Hunter with The Art Institute said she wanted to make sure students know the institution is a college and has a campus in Round Rock.
With multiple campuses across the country, the institute offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in art fields spanning various media, design, fashion and culinary skills, she said.
Suki Hammarlund, the assistant human resources manager for Aegis, spoke with students about the local call center. She talked about the importance of preparing a proofread, relevant resume, dressing professionally and interacting properly on the phone.
“It’s a good opportunity for us,” said Syvertson of the college and career day. “It gives us a variety where we can see the options available.”