Ready or not, in they came.

Sophomores dropped into various classrooms as 52 representatives/owners of businesses took center stage for the annual career expo held at Scarborough High School last week. Amid looks that ranged from enthused to reserved, students heard about the working world. The annual event, organized by Scarborough Community Chamber, is a collaborative effort with the high school.

Four years ago, members of the Scarborough Community Chamber board of directors sent out a survey to chamber members asking how could the chamber could add value to the community. The overwhelming response was to reach out to high school students by providing an opportunity to explore careers.

The idea was presented to then-principal Andrew Dolloff, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The new MEA requirement was out, and Dolloff faced the challenge of developing a career exploration program. Together with the chamber and the guidance staff, championed by Pat Conant, the career program was developed over the next year.

Three years into it, the program has grown, and so, too, has the participation level of the local chamber. As new businesses join the chamber, it is the career expo that has the highest number of business participants each year.

I think it’s because we can relate. We’ve all been there. Your sophomore year seems to be a springboard into young adult reality. Driver’s education is either under way or passed. Some even have their driver’s licenses. The PSATs have been taken. The reality of responsibility is creeping all around these kids. It’s time to think about the future. Yikes!

As the kids visited different rooms at the event, they got to know a little bit more about the jobs of community members’ familiar faces.

The reactions ranged from dazed to eager, with dazed being more the majority. There were few questions asked, but presenters knew that seeds were being planted.

As I faced the students from my panel post, I could put myself back in my sophomore year shoes. I was overwhelmed, young and innocent, and the pressure was on to make the right move. The thought was, you better get it right – no turning back. Nobody came in to speak to my class, and I had no idea of the world of opportunity available out there.

As I presented my job to the kids, I was ever mindful of where my head was at back then. My first thought was not to take this all too seriously – explore the vast opportunities, and try lots of things. You spend so much of your life working, so make sure that you enjoy what you’re doing. The greatest lessons learned are from the mistakes made – so don’t worry about making some mistakes along the way. They’ll build character.

In addition to the annual career expo, Scarborough High School’s career development program offers students weekly classroom speakers from the business community. Job-site visitation to observe work environments is also offered, and job shadowing, internship and work-study possibilities are available to those interested.

Today, Sandy Smith heads up the program at the high school. If you’d like to give high school students a taste of your working world, contact Scarborough Community Chamber board member, Susan DeGrandpre at 883-6978, or contact Smith in the guidance department at the high school.