Skyline College welcomed students from the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) on April 29 for a College and Career Day focused on helping high schoolers explore future pathways through real-world experiences. Held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Farallon Room, the event brought together students and more than two dozen adult volunteers for a morning of panels, workshops, and career preparation activities.
The program opened with a welcome session followed by a keynote panel centered on early career advice. Speakers Ron Chand and Leslie Singh, a paralegal student, shared their experiences transitioning from school into the workforce, offering students insight into the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a career. The discussion gave students space to ask questions about navigating uncertainty, building skills, and making decisions about their futures.
Students then moved into hands-on learning through the Allied Health workshop, where they were introduced to surgical careers. Led by Skyline faculty member Teresa “Tee” Barnes, an assistant professor in surgical careers, the session gave participants a closer look at medical tools, procedures, and training pathways. The workshop emphasized practical exposure, allowing students to engage directly with concepts they might otherwise only encounter in a classroom.
Mock interviews were another central part of the day. Students met one-on-one with adult volunteers to practice interview techniques, develop communication skills, and receive immediate feedback. For many, it was an opportunity to experience a professional setting and better understand employer expectations & gain a trajectory for advancing their resume & professional development.
The event also featured a career panel with professionals from healthcare/emergency services and visual arts including Marvin Velasquez, a clinical operations manager with AMR San Mateo County; Julio Deras, visual arts manager at The Riekes Center. Panelists discussed how they prepared for their careers, what their daily work looks like, and what skills are most important in their fields. Students asked about education requirements, job stability, and the future of different industries, connecting classroom learning to real-world applications.
By combining hands-on workshops, direct interaction with professionals, and practical skill-building, the event aimed to make career exploration more tangible. For participating students, the day offered a chance to step onto a college campus, engage with potential career paths, and begin thinking more concretely about life after high school.
Events like this reflect Skyline College’s broader effort to support early career awareness and create opportunities for students to explore their interests in a structured, supportive environment.
By Carlos John Escala
