The school nurse at Columbia Middle Schools speaks with a student about the nursing profession during the school’s first Immersion Day on Feb. 8, 2024. PHOTO BY KRISTIN OH 
Representatives from local universities and organizations speak with Columbia Middle School students during the school’s first Immersion Day on Feb. 8, 2024. PHOTO BY KRISTIN OH
AURORA | From mapping out timelines to speaking with industry professionals, students at Columbia Middle Schools had the opportunity to think about their futures during the school’s first Immersion Day.
Eighth grade students participated in a career fair in the school gym Thursday morning. Representatives from local companies and universities, including Denver Metropolitan State University and Pickens Technical College, set up booths at the event.
“It’s not really about deciding what you want to do, but getting exposure to what’s out there and what’s available and what opportunities you have,” said Dawn Ganaway, a counselor at Columbia Middle School.
She added that students have been engaged and said that they’re having fun.
Mariela Alvarado, who was at the event to represent the concurrent enrollment program, displayed her high school diploma, certificate from Pickens Technical College and degree from Metropolitan State University. She spoke with students about her experience with higher education and the programs she participated in.
The school nurse also had a booth at the event and spoke with students about the nursing industry, saying that there will always be a need for them.
Other local organizations that participated in the event are:
- Aurora Mental Health
- Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
- Lumen Technologies
- Carter Design Company
- Highline Metals
- Be Inspired
- District Credit Union
- Empire Beauty
- YAASPA (Young American Aspiring for Social and Political Action)
- Home Safe
- Frontier Airlines
- Students representing Adams State University
- LoveSick Clothing line
- Vail Resorts
- Boulder Housing Authority
- Be a Tree Cremation
While the career fair was only for the eighth grade students, children in other grades also had the opportunity to speak with professionals.
Young professionals who had attended Columbia Middle School or other Aurora Public schools spoke with seventh grade students. Representatives from Pickens Technical College and University of Colorado Denver spoke with sixth grade students about what they can do now to prepare for high school and post-secondary work.
“It’s an enrichment program that I think students should and could be exposed to,” Ganaway said. “I think that anything that we can do to help students be goal oriented and have a visionary future, then that’s well worth it.”