More than 50 Central Oregon employers and representatives of higher education will gather April 30 to speak with students and families for the third annual Life & Career Readiness Night. It’s a free event from 5 to 7 p.m. at Caldera High School, 60925 SE 15th St., Bend.
Organized by high school students, Life & Career Readiness Night is designed to expose students from across the school district to professional and post-secondary educational opportunities. Whether a student is considering college, military service, entering the workforce, or pursuing technical training, this event helps connect them with the people and resources that can guide those decisions.
“This is our third year of inviting employers and educators to help students and families explore the many pathways available in our region,” said Jack Strycharz, a junior at Caldera High School. “We have seen the benefits of this face-to-face engagement with professionals in our region. Just one positive interaction can spark interest in a career pathway a student has never considered.”
The event is geared toward high school students but also may be of interest to middle school students starting to explore their career options. Families can learn about professional pathways, internships, volunteer work, summer jobs, educational travel, industry certifications, and college degree programs.
Both private and public employers will be on hand, including Mount Bachelor and Sun Country Tours, U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighting, Bend Police Department, Deschutes County 9-1-1, SELCO Credit Union, and branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Also attending are Oregon State University-Cascades, Central Oregon Community College, Oregon Institute of Technology, and Southern Oregon University.
“This event is all about helping our students take the next step with confidence,” said Katie Legace, Executive Director of High Schools for Bend-La Pine Schools. “By bringing together local employers and colleges, we’re giving teens a chance to ask questions, make connections, and start thinking seriously about what comes next after high school. We deeply appreciate the businesses and educational partners who are showing up to support and inspire our students.”
