Freeport High School students get career advice from STEM professionals

During the second Career Conversations event held at Freeport High School, students had the opportunity to learn about various career paths from professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and medicine. The event, which was organized in collaboration with the Cradle of Aviation Museum and Freeport Public Schools, featured four guest speakers who spoke about the diverse career options available on Long Island, including working with drone technology, studying medical specimens to identify disease causes, engineering structures, and performing neurosurgery.

According to Kishore Kuncham, the Superintendent of Schools, exposing students to the available career opportunities and providing them with information to plan their high school careers is crucial. The partnership with the Cradle of Aviation Museum offers students the chance to learn from professionals who have achieved success and are passionate about their work.

“It is extremely important for our students to see the career opportunities available to them, and the ability to find out more about them to ensure their high school careers will put them on a path to pursuing successful college and career opportunities in their chosen field,” Kuncham said. “Our ongoing partnership with the Cradle of Aviation Museum provides our students with the opportunity to actively explore their futures by having these career conversations with professionals who are successful and enjoy their work.”

Tom Barry, the assistant director of education at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, facilitated the event, which featured guest speakers from Cameron Engineering, Northwell Health, and Hover UAS, among others. Freeport High School principal Gisselle Campbell-Ham noted that meeting with professionals currently working in STEM careers gives students better insight into their future career prospects.

“As a high school principal, I’m aware my students will be pursuing careers that did not exist during my time as a student,” principal Gisselle Campbell-Ham said. “Having professionals, who are currently working in these STEM careers, meet with our students gives them better insight into what they can plan for and achieve in the future.”

The Cradle of Aviation Museum’s education department aims to create partnerships between Long Island businesses, nonprofits, and school districts to inspire students to pursue STEM careers and work in the region.