Wondering where your life may take you once done with high school?

Helix Charter High School is hosting its Trades Day on Wednesday, April 10.

Trades Day is a career expo focused on unique career paths that don’t require a traditional college degree. Therefore, the fair will expose students to careers such as construction trades, law enforcement, cosmetology, and real estate, among others.

“Helix is a college-prep school, and we do a lot to prepare students for college. In recent years, we have worked on expanding to include more career prep as well,” said Lauren Knuth, the school’s communityrelations & engagement coordinator.

Now, the school is offering two different types of career fairs starting with Trades Day, along with the Career Fair in the fall, which offers information on all kinds of careers. During Trades Day, students will learn about how to sign up for apprenticeship programs and training centers that are alternatives to traditional four-year college, uncovering lesser-known careers and trades.

“I’ve heard a wide variety of amazing things from students who went in the previous year. One thing I expect is field specialists. Trades Day and events similar are usually the best times to be introduced and talk to individuals who have been in their fields for many years,” said Gabriel Soto, a senior student.

The first event held last year ended in great success with more than a thousand students participating. “Some were even able to sign up on the spot for training programs after they graduated,” added Knuth.

Arnold Nguyen, a senior student who participated in last year’s Trades Day, gained impressive insights into various career pathways that students don’t generally learn from school.

“I personally connected with Smith Group, an architecture firm based in Detroit,” stated Nguyen. “I met an interior designer, an architect, and a mechanical engineer. I learned an incredible amount of information about the architecture and engineering industries. Trades Day was a great opportunity for students like myself to explore career options not normally considered in our curriculum.”

This year, the expo will offer more than 25 career vendors where students can receive explanations on how to enter the workplace. “Students will get a BINGO card that encourages them to talk to vendors and find out different characteristics for each career. They’ll be able to spin the wheel at the end of prizes,” explained Knuth.

The vendors will include: La Mesa Police Department (LMPD), La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools Extended School Services (LMVS ESS), Heartland Fire, The Carpenter’s Union, The Electrical Training Institute, Sheet Metal Workers, Stage Employee Alliance, Humane Society, Medical Assistant Training institute, Bellus Academy Cosmetology, and six different military branches.

The school is fully prepared to introduce as many students as possible to various career paths.

All interested students are invited to participate by joining during break, lunch, or free periods.

Trades Day

When: April 10 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where: Concrete area next to football field

Information contact: [email protected] (Lauren Knuth)