Empowering Student Futures: The Inaugural ISP Career Fair

Last week, the International School of Prague (ISP) hosted its first-ever Career Fair, an event designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the complexities of real-world career paths.

This ground-breaking initiative, spearheaded by School Counsellors Brenda Manfredi, Charles Brondel, and Kristy Raggio, brought together 340 Upper School students and over 30 professionals from a variety of industries. The result was a day filled with inspiration, introspection, and invaluable insights.

Building the Vision

Bringing together a diverse array of professionals and students for a day of exploration and inspiration was a bold undertaking. Drawing on insights from similar initiatives, the organisers embraced the challenge of creating a meaningful and impactful event tailored to the unique needs of an international school in a non-English-speaking country.

Charles Brondel reflected, “It’s always a challenge to bring professionals into a school setting, especially when they’re not used to engaging with teenagers. But we knew the potential impact, and we were determined to make it work.”

The team began by surveying students to identify areas of career interest and leveraged the school’s community network, enlisting the help of ISP’s Admissions and Advancement offices. While securing speakers for niche fields like architecture and psychology required external outreach, the collective effort ultimately ensured a broad representation of careers - from diplomacy to digital design, and from military service to the arts.

Inspiring Keynote and Professional Perspectives

The event was launched with an inspiring keynote by Ms. Christy Agor, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Prague. Agor’s reflections on her unconventional career journey resonated deeply with students and set the tone for the day. She encouraged students to embrace uncertainty, take calculated risks, and remain open to unexpected opportunities - a message reiterated by many speakers throughout the event.

“The beauty of this event was in the unexpected connections - students discovering that their passions or skills could align with careers they hadn’t previously explored.”

Brenda Manfredi, Upper School Counsellor

Professionals engaged with students through two primary formats: focused 45-minute in-depth sessions and fast-paced round-robin discussions. The latter, in particular, challenged students to think broadly, exposing them to industries and roles they may never have considered.

Real Conversations About Real Careers

For many students, the most profound takeaway was learning that career paths are rarely linear. Several speakers shared stories of finding their way into their roles or thriving without traditional qualifications, emphasising the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning. One Grade 12 student, initially hesitant to attend, found the experience transformative. “I would never have approached someone in the field I’m interested in on my own. But having this opportunity gave me the confidence to ask questions and realise I’m on the right path,” she shared.

Students also learned practical skills through workshops tailored to their academic stages. Tenth graders attended a session on university requirements, helping them align their high school course selections with future aspirations, while eleventh and twelfth graders explored topics like crafting standout résumés and acing interviews.

ISP’s Director, Dr. Chip Kimball, led a workshop on employability skills. He used real-life examples to demystify the hiring process, showing students how to present themselves effectively - even for part-time jobs. Meanwhile, Dr. Cal Callaway offered insights into UK university interviews, and ISP teachers ran sessions on essay writing and academic interviewing.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the Career Fair was a resounding success, it wasn’t without its hurdles. Securing speakers from the community proved challenging, with many professionals hesitant about speaking to teenagers or uncertain about what to share. However, as the day progressed, the speakers’ initial apprehension gave way to appreciation.

Several remarked on the maturity and curiosity of ISP students, with one professional noting, “I’ve spoken at university events, but the questions I received here were far more thoughtful and engaging.”

The feedback from students was equally enthusiastic, with many expressing a desire for even more diverse speakers in the future. Active professions like firefighting and law enforcement were frequently mentioned as areas of interest.

A Vision for the Future

The organisers envision the Career Fair becoming a biennial tradition, ensuring each Upper School student attends twice during their time at ISP. This spacing allows students to engage with the event at two distinct stages in their educational journey: when they are exploring options and when they are preparing to make critical decisions.

Our goal is to help students and their families see that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Careers are not a straight line, and that’s something to embrace, not fear.

Charles Brondel, Upper School Counsellor

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand the event by recruiting a larger and more varied speaker pool, potentially involving parents in parallel sessions to address shared anxieties about career planning.

A Community Effort

The success of the Career Fair was a testament to the collective effort of the ISP community. Teachers played a crucial role, not only by supporting the logistics of the event but also by engaging in discussions that bridged classroom learning with professional realities. Students expressed gratitude through handwritten letters, with many singling out speakers like General Benka, whose career in the military and diplomacy left a lasting impression.

This event was about more than just career advice. It was about fostering confidence, curiosity, and a sense of possibility. Watching students walk away with a renewed sense of purpose was incredibly rewarding.

Kristy Raggio, Upper School Counsellor

Valuable Insights from the Student Body

The post-event student feedback highlighted the value of the Career Fair in shaping future aspirations and fostering curiosity. Many expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to hear from a diverse range of professionals, noting that the combination of round-robin discussions and in-depth sessions allowed them to explore areas of interest while engaging directly with experts. One attendee remarked, “The in-depth sessions were amazing, and I learned so much. I’m really thankful for this experience.”

Others praised the interactive nature of the discussions, which encouraged meaningful dialogue and provided practical advice on career paths, university preparation, and employability skills. The event was also lauded for its ability to inspire early career thinking, with one student sharing, “Thinking about the future now, even in Year 9, feels so important. I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited for what’s to come.”

Conclusion

The inaugural ISP Career Fair was more than an event - it was a milestone in the school’s commitment to empowering students for the future. By bringing together professionals, educators, and students in a meaningful dialogue, it underscored the power of community in shaping young minds.

As one organiser aptly put it, “It takes a village to raise a child, and this was our village, our community coming together for them.” With plans already in motion for the next iteration, the Career Fair promises to remain a cornerstone of ISP’s approach to holistic education, equipping students not just for their careers, but for life.