Students check out college and career vendors.

Mesa Public Schools is hosting the 2023 College and Career Fair. This event provides a comprehensive showcase of career opportunities, featuring higher education, trade schools, community partners, the military, and more. The College and Career Fair will be held at Mesa High School for students in grades 7-12 on Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The College and Career Fair centers around the district’s Promise to prepare students for college, career, and community. The Opportunity & Achievement Department at Mesa Public Schools assists students and families in pursuit of their post-secondary dreams by providing resources and working with school counselors, teachers, and administrators to guide students through career choices. School teams create individual student plans and pathways to success, engage families in the process, help navigate college admissions, and secure financial assistance to ensure students are ready for their future.

Cynthia Catledge is the Mesa Public Schools career specialist in the district’s Opportunity & Achievement department. Catledge shares that the upcoming college and career fair provides a platform for students to start thinking ahead about their futures.

“At its core, the fair is about helping students understand the paths that await them beyond high school,” Cateledge shares. “We want students to know that post-secondary journeys are unique to the student, and not confined to a singular route. We are fostering a culture where students feel confident in pursuing their passions, knowing that success doesn’t fit a predetermined mold and looks different for each student based on their passions, interests, and aspirations.”

Catledge advises students to create a list of questions in preparation for the fair, as students will have the opportunity to interact with representatives. Once students better understand their options, high school counselors will guide them in their post-secondary journey. 

To learn more or to register online, visit departments.mpsaz.org/.