About 200 Piscataway High School students interested in career paths that do not require a four-year college degree got in-person exposure to a wide range of possibilities at the school’s fifth-annual “What’s Next” Career Fair.

Juniors and seniors were able to sign up to attend the event on Thursday, Dec. 4, or were invited by their counselors. They got a chance to meet in the PHS Patton Cafeteria with representatives from fields including law enforcement, electric work, pipefitting, sprinkler fitting, dental assistant, the military, medical technicians, paramedics, trade and technical schools, community colleges, funeral work, hairstyling, cosmetology, construction, and more.

“The What’s Next Career Fair is a great opportunity to expose our students to real-world essential careers,” said Mawiyah Husbands, PHS College and Career Counselor, who organized the event. “We are grateful to the presenters for helping make today such a valuable learning experience for our students. Hearing their stories will undoubtably inspire our students and help them envision their own paths.”

These experienced representatives from a variety of organizations met with students one-on-one and in small groups to discuss training, salary range, certification requirements, and other aspects of professions that do not require a college degree.

The event aligns with a district priority in recent years to enhance and expand opportunities for non-college-bound learners, driven by changes in technology, workplace demands, and increasing debt for students attending four-year colleges.

Among the highlights of What’s Next was a construction crane simulator that engaged students with the opportunity to feel what it would be like to operate heavy machinery on a building site. Students also got the chance to work with medical professionals and paramedics to simulate resuscitation and intubation of a patient.

But some of the most valuable interactions were eye-opening discussions about professional paths that students may not have been considering.

“The students were focused, engaged, and interacted beautifully with our guest speakers,” Husbands said. “It was a joy to see their excitement as they learned about hands-on, essential careers.”