Students Explore What’s Next
The St. John College and Career Fair on September 24, 2025, was alive with energy as nearly 600 young people set their sights on the future, an impressive increase from 445 attendees last year. Students from East St. John High, West St. John High, and Riverside Academy filled the space alongside homeschooled students and older youth, ages 18–25, enrolled in our Beyond K12 work and career readiness programs in the parish. Together, they explored pathways that could shape their careers, sparking conversations, connections, and possibilities that will last well beyond the day of the fair.
The room was alive with conversation as rows of booths lined the space, each staffed by representatives from 34 colleges, universities, and post-secondary training programs and 26 companies and organizations ready to share their expertise.
With curiosity and excitement, students dove into the fair peppering recruiters with questions about majors from accounting to engineering, slipping on safety gear at the public safety section, and collecting resources on scholarships, internships, and training programs. At one table, healthcare recruiters mapped out pathways to careers in medicine, while just steps away, business leaders shared real stories of entrepreneurship and innovation. The local oil and gas industry drew a particularly captivated crowd, as students imagined themselves stepping into high-demand roles. Each conversation became a spark, helping students picture what life could look like after high school and igniting new ambitions for the future.
The fair was more than just an information session—it was a launchpad. By engaging directly with recruiters, students practiced networking skills, discovered educational opportunities, and learned how their passions could translate into careers.
A sincere thank you to St. John the Baptist Parish Schools and the Kiwanis Club of Tri Parishes for their continued partnership in shaping the youth of our community—our future leaders. We are also deeply grateful to the many colleges, universities, trade schools, businesses, and organizations who joined us at this year’s fair. Your support and participation made it possible for students to explore new pathways, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward bright and promising futures.