Approximately 1,800 eighth graders from the county’s five public middle schools will participate in the largest career fair held within the Fayette County Public School System.

Middle school counselors have organized the sixth annual 8th Grade Career Fair, slated for February 4-5 at Heritage Christian Church, in honor of National School Counseling week February 1-5.
This special week honors school counselors for the important role they play in helping students examine their talents, strengths, abilities and interests.

The fair will showcase a diversity of career options ranging from photography, food service and truck driving to environmental engineering, health science and occupational therapy. By combining their efforts into one centralized fair, the eighth grade counselors are able to expose students to a larger variety of career fields than they would by organizing individual fairs at their schools. Each school was responsible for inviting members from the community to take part.

This year’s National School Counseling Week theme is “Celebrate School Counseling.”

Fayette’s school counselors make a positive difference in the lives of students everyday by providing a number of important services including character education, academic advisement and programs designed to develop personal and social skills. Their affect on the county’s educational program is evidenced by the high academic achievements, awards and honors earned by students throughout the school system.

School counselors are certified professional educators who work in conjunction with teachers and administrators to help reduce the barriers to learning and provide the support necessary for all students to achieve at their highest level.

Fayette’s counselors provide the essential academic, career and personal/social skills to equip students with the knowledge and ability to excel in college and careers, and as parents and citizens.

“We are pleased and thankful for the efforts that our counselors make everyday. They are a vital support to our educational program here in Fayette,” said Barbara Serapion, director of pupil personnel services.