NPSS students gain insight into local career opportunities at ‘Grow our Own’ event

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The annual ‘Grow our Own’ event, dedicated to giving students a glimpse into potential careers, took place on March 7th at the Lido Theatre.

The event, hosted by the Urban Systems Foundation, gave 33 North Peace Secondary School (NPSS) students the chance to rub shoulders with professionals in Fort St. John. 

Jeff Mayer, the work experience coordinator for School District 60, equates the event to speed dating.

“Urban systems really line up the professionals,” says Mayer. “From there, students wrote down five mentors they’d like to meet. They were then able to spend about 25 minutes with each professional and learn a day in the life of that career.”

The students had a chance to hear from various experts in their field, such as project coordinators, IT professionals, realtors, lawyers, archeologists and nurses.

According to Mayer, the event was the brainchild of former NPSS student Kimberly Zackodnik, who wanted to know the local options for female high school students interested in careers in science.

“It started out in the NPSS library in 2015,” explained Mayer. “Kim wanted to branch it out after that. We started at the Lido in 2018.”

“COVID-19 did force us to be a little creative. We set it back up in the library, had the students distance, and then held virtual conferences with the professionals at computers.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Sarah Cowger, who holds a BA in Psychology from Thompson Rivers University. Cowger is a mental health and substance abuse clinician at Saplings Mental Health Services in Fort St. John. 

“She was excellent,” said Mayer, explaining her speech outlined ten points of advice about the advantages of going away and coming back to her hometown.

“Sarah said she never imagined she’d be coming back to Fort St. John when she first left. But she did emphasize there is a great life to live here, and it’s worth it to go away, get specific training, and return to Fort St. John.”

Mayer says that students always come back excited and full of knowledge about the careers available to them in Fort St. John.