Napa High School Career Fair Highlights Immediate Workforce Opportunities for Students

Napa High School recently hosted a Career Fair designed to connect students with career pathways they can enter right out of high school or with short-term training. The event aimed to meet the needs of Gen Z students and their evolving career interests. Students had the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and learn about careers in fields such as healthcare, skilled trades, public service, and more.

The event was led by Napa High’s dedicated Counseling Team—Ana Andrilla, Wendy Sommers, Mayra Bogarin, Norma Magdaleno, and Maricela Lopez-Soto, and supported by students in Napa High’s Leadership Academy: Youth Leadership for Action (LAYLA). Recognizing the need for more exposure to immediate workforce opportunities, the team designed this event to emphasize practical career pathways. This initiative is further supported by a weekly Career Speaker Series, which attracts 10–50 students per session, allowing for deeper exploration of specific fields.

"This Career Fair aligns with NVUSD’s commitment to providing rigorous, real-world learning experiences as outlined in our Strategic Plan,” said Mario Landeros, Director of College and Career Readiness. “By exposing students to career paths that are immediately accessible after high school, we ensure they graduate prepared for success—whether that means entering the workforce, pursuing technical training, or continuing their education. Events like this give students the confidence and connections they need to take their next steps.”

A special thank you to our 12th-grade LAYLA student volunteers for their support in organizing and running the event, as well as Wellness Counselor Wendy Sommers and Social Worker Maria Ruiz-Ramos, whose contributions made this event possible. Napa High looks forward to continuing this important work and expanding career-connected learning opportunities for students!