Rialto Unified School District students joined more than 250 high school juniors and seniors at the Fifth District College and Career Day, the largest turnout since the event began.
San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. hosted the event, which drew students from six districts and schools, according to a press release published Tuesday, Oct. 27. Along with Rialto Unified, participants came from Colton Joint Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, San Bernardino County Schools, Entrepreneur High School and Aquinas High School.
The event expanded its programming this year with hands-on workshops. Students practiced building resumes, preparing for interviews and searching for jobs. They also learned what employers look for in prospective candidates, the press release said.
Professionals from San Bernardino County Human Resources, Workforce Development, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, County Fire and the Sheriff's Department spoke about careers in healthcare, public safety and government. Resource booths staffed by local colleges, workforce organizations, law enforcement agencies, skilled trades groups and youth-serving organizations lined the event.
Dr. Cherina Betters, chief of equity and access with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, said elected officials rarely create this kind of access for students.
"It doesn't happen often where people who hold elected offices bring these kinds of opportunities to our students, and so when they do, we should uplift that," Betters said.
Jarutzi Uribe, a student from Inland Empire Job Corps who is interested in airplane mechanics, said the day opened her eyes to career paths she had not considered. Uribe said she learned about options she did not know existed.
Supervisor Baca said the goal was for every student to leave knowing that opportunities and support exist in their own community. He encouraged students to stay curious whether they already have a career path in mind or are still figuring it out.
The press release did not specify which Rialto Unified schools sent students or how many RUSD students attended. It also did not list the event's date or venue.
