Career Interest Panels
This spring, five separate Career Panels were held in collaboration with individuals from the Walla Walla Valley Community. The first panel, Careers in Education, featured WaHi Assistant Principal Claudia Salazar, Director of Equity and Dual Programs Dr. Julie Perron, Greenpark Elementary teachers Tanya Esquivel and Brad Hobbs, and Early Childhood Program Specialist at WWCC Michelle Reiff. These lifelong educators shared their experiences and paths to their careers with Teacher Academy students.
The second panel, Careers in STEM and Agriculture, featured Conservation Scientist Annie Byerley, Growth Manager Sadie Drury, Chief of Construction Support at the Army Corps of Engineers Ron Rooks, Owner and Project Manager of Moreno & Castillo Construction Cruz Castillo, Senior Engineer at Anderson Perry and Associates Kate Thompson, and Project Manager and Engineering Consultant Emilio Luna. Students from Jessica Johnson’s Agriculture Mechanics class were able to hear from these individuals and ask them questions about their professional paths!
The third panel, Careers in Hospitality and Tourism, featured Owner of Flora Flower Farm Kathryn Maher, Operations Manager at Abeja Inn & Vinyards Richard Wylie, Director of Local Sales for Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard Sonya Fowler, Principal of Kasey D Weddings Kasey Davenport, and CEO & Founder of Strategy Northwest Veronika Meiers. Students from Floriculture and Culinary Arts classes got to hear from these folks about finding a career that provides purpose and the reality of maintaining flexibility in your professional life. Thank you to all the professionals from the community who graciously gave their time to speak with our high school students!
Two final panels took place at SEATech Skills Center and covered Careers in Nursing & Healthcare. Panelists included the Nursing Assistant of Training Programs for the Washington State Board of Nursing Sandra Graham, two registered nurses from Park Manor Rehabilitation Center Dakota Micky and Jonathan Ringering, and a Health Science Careers SEATech alum and CNA at Park Manor Kaitlyn Flinders. Students and instructors were immensely grateful to these folks from the community for sharing their experience and encouraging students in whatever careers they choose!
