By Russell Mayert, Vice Principal, Westview Elementary - Ta na wa Ns7éyxnitm tlá Teltíwet

​On Friday, November 28, our school proudly hosted a Grade 6/7 Career Fair, providing students with an engaging opportunity to explore diverse career pathways and hear directly from professionals within our community. The event was designed in a conference-style format, featuring a keynote address followed by student-selected breakout sessions, allowing learners to take ownership of their interests and questions. 

We were honoured to welcome Jessica Bermudez as our keynote speaker. Jessica is a former Miss Ecuador, voice actor, and diplomat, and she shared an inspiring message about perseverance, adaptability, and the value of embracing diverse experiences. Students were particularly engaged by her discussion of how careers can evolve over time and how transferable skills—such as communication, confidence, and cultural awareness—play a critical role across professions.

Following the keynote, students participated in smaller breakout workshops led by parent and community volunteers, each offering insight into a specific career field: 

• Jessica Bermudez expanded on her keynote by discussing careers in public service, media, and international work, highlighting pathways into diplomacy and creative industries. 

• Umar Khalil, an Engineer from BC Hydro, provided students with a practical look into engineering, including problem-solving, infrastructure, and the role engineers play in supporting communities and sustainability. 

• Trish Neufeld, a Mortgage Broker, introduced students to careers in finance and real estate, explaining how professionals support individuals and families through major life decisions while emphasizing numeracy, communication, and trust. 

Throughout the day, students demonstrated high engagement, curiosity, and thoughtful questioning. The Career Fair supported curricular connections to career education, core competencies, and real-world learning, while also strengthening school-community partnerships.

Taha in Grade 7 said “My next step is working hard in school and out of school. I need high scores to get the top two jobs I want so focusing, practicing, and working hard will help me get to my goal.” 

Benita in Grade 7 said “I felt most connected to the engineer. I want to be an engineer, so I felt most connected to that. I found it interesting how B.C. Hydro worked and what it did."

We extend our sincere thanks to our keynote speaker and session leaders for generously sharing their time and expertise, and for helping our students envision a wide range of future possibilities.