It’s early in the morning, and the library door is propped open. Near the door, there is a whiteboard noting the upcoming career chats. You walk in, sit down and begin to listen to what the panelists have to say. It is the start of your future. 

The College and Career Chats, led by College and Career Center head Teri McHone, are monthly sessions focused on specific career clusters, including medicine, business and public service. Unlike a traditional career fair, these career chats help students to focus on specific career choices. This allows students to get more insight and focus on their specific pathway rather than all of the different careers. McHone created the program to give students an honest look at what different career paths require.

“If a student says they want to be a doctor, what kind of doctor?” McHone said. “There are so many fields within medicine they might not even think about. Students get to hear about pathways and the financial and educational steps involved…It’s an eye-opener for students to hear from professionals in the fields they’re considering.” 

Among the recent speakers was Nurse Gill, who shared her own path into healthcare. She also emphasized that students do not need to follow one rigid track.

“It’s helpful for students to see what paths they may want to take and the outcomes of those possible choices,” Gill said. “You can go the community college path and still transfer to a UC without huge debt. Just hearing someone break down their choices helps students prepare for what’s ahead.”

Gill encouraged students to gain early exposure to their fields of interest. Early exposure to a variety of ideas in a subject will help refine what a person wants to do when they go to college or into the 

“Anyone interested in nursing or the medical field should explore their options in high school,” Gill said. “Take any opportunity you can. I took my nursing assistant course in high school, and it helped me understand which path I wanted.”

The chats have already left an impression on students. Laurel Xu, a GBHS student, said one moment stuck with her: “Everyone said they love their jobs. Hearing that made me feel excited instead of stressed.” Xu added that her biggest takeaway was to be patient with career decisions. “You don’t need to immediately know what you want to do. It’s okay to figure it out along the way.”

Nour Ghanem, a GBHS student, said the panel changed her perspective on medicine. The panelists made her realize that the school she goes to for premed does not matter. 

“All the doctors took different paths, and they all ended up doing what they love,” Ghanem said.“I learned not to stick too closely to one narrative. Keeping my mind open will help me find the right fit.”

As the College and Career Chats continue, they are becoming a valuable resource, helping students explore possibilities, make informed decisions and connect with mentors who can guide them toward meaningful futures.