LEWISTOWN - For high school seniors, sometimes the most dreaded question they are asked is, "What do you want to do with your life?"
Figuring out the answer can be complicated, especially when students are not sure what career path to pursue.
Career and college fairs can be a great way for students to explore their options, said Cher Harpster, a member of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce Business and Education Committee. The group is organizing its annual college and career fair on Thursday at both Indian Valley and Lewistown Area high schools.
Peggy Fisher, a computer science teacher at Indian Valley, said students should focus on the areas where they excel.
"Are you a logical thinker? Do you like problem solving?" Fisher asked. "Are you a people person or do you like to work independently? These are questions that can help narrow down your choices."
The average person works for 45 years of their life, "so you want to enjoy what you do," Fisher said.
The computer teacher herself changed careers based on what she enjoyed - a transition that she encourages students not to fear.
Fisher said she went to college to study computer programming, and she worked in the field for more than 15 years before deciding that she wanted to do something different.
While Fisher said she enjoyed being a computer programmer, "I was never home, and when I was there, I was working."
She said she decided to change careers to become a teacher. For the next five years, she went back to school at night for a master's degree in math education, she said. She began teaching in 2002.
"It took about five years to complete since I was going part-time, but I kept going ..." Fisher said. "It helps to have a goal, although you can't be afraid to change that goal along the way."
And sometimes it takes a while to achieve a career goal, she said. "You might have to settle for something less than you had hoped, but that can be temporary if you are willing to put in the time and effort to keep moving forward."
Her advice to students and their parents is to start preparing now for opportunities like college and career fairs.
Prior to the fair, find out who will be there, and research what they offer, she said. Develop a list of questions to ask employer and college representatives, she said.
"Take charge of the discussion and have confidence in yourself," Fisher said. "... If you evaluate your options and if you are willing to ask for help or do the research to find an answer, you will succeed."
During the Business and Education Committee's college and career fair, the following schools will be present: Antonelli Institute, Bloomsburg University, Central Pennsylvania College, Clarion University, Misericordia University, Delaware Valley College, DeSales University, Dickinson College, DuBois Business College, East Stroudsburg University, Eastern University, Empire Beauty College, Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Juniata College, Keystone Technical Institute, Lebanon Valley College, Lock Haven University, Lycoming College, Mansfield University, Messiah College, Mount Aloysius College, Pennsylvania College of Technology (including both Plastics and Health Sciences programs), Penn State University, Seton Hill University, Shippensburg University, South Hills School of Business, St. Francis University, Susquehanna University, Thomas Jefferson University, Triangle Tech, Wilson College and WyoTech.
The U.S. Navy, National Guard and Marines plan to attend along with local employers including MERF Radio, Valley View Retirement Community, Lewistown Hospital and School of Nursing, Corvette America, Penn State Learning Center, Skills of Central PA, CareerLink, HealthSouth, WKVA Radio and the Department of Corrections.
Juniors and seniors from the two high schools will be given time during the school day to walk around the fair and talk with the representatives, Harpster said.
