On Friday more than 200 juniors from Salem High School spent their day at the City Center as part of the Salem Rotary’s Career Day. The event, which was coordinated by Dr. Peter Apicella, vocational chairman for the Rotary Club of Salem, helped students learn about different career options.

“The students really seemed to enjoy themselves,” said Ruth McCullagh, Kent State Salem’s public relations coordinator. “There was a certain buzz in the air. You could tell from their faces that they found the information helpful and interesting.”

Students were welcomed by Salem Rotary Club President David Mollenkopf, Campus Dean Jeff Nolte and Cathy Sanor, director of Salem High School Curriculum and Technology. Matthew Butts, director of Institutional Advancement for the Kent State Columbiana County campuses, presented “Planning for Your Future: Career opportunities, job prospects and economic realities.”

Daniel Moore, CPA and owner of DT Moore & Company, LLC. presented “What Employers Want and How to Get a Job: Values, skills, dressing for success, resumes, applications, internships, volunteering, and job interviews.”

Following a career panel and lunch, students attended two breakout sessions that delved into a profession that interested them. Students could choose from medical fields; teaching and social work; business; criminal justice, police and fire; engineering, architecture and computers; the military and skilled trades; and journalism and communication.

Overall, the students enjoyed the event and wrote positively about the experience on their evaluations. Common comments included: “I really enjoyed this trip and am thankful for this opportunity;” “I’m glad we had this available. This provided some great information. Thank you very much;” and “The professionals really did a great job at clarifying exactly what it is that they do and the different fields you can get involved in.”

Those that worked on the event hope that it will become an annual tradition.