Students at the Berkeley Institute were exposed to a number of career opportunities during a job fair held this month. The first such symposium ever during the school's 100 years, it was spread between two workshops with each aimed at furthering the students' professional goals. "The first prepared them for entry into the world of work,'' explained guidance counsellor Winifred Simmons, "by teaching them proper interview and communication skills. The second taught them about different careers; everything from accounting to insurance, international business, education, social work, you name it.'' The 550 students were exposed to employment information from a vast cross-section of companies and Government ministries including the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation, the Department of Airport Operations and the Bermuda International Business Association. Divided according to years, the fair was open to upper classmen in the morning and lower classmen in the afternoon. "Each of our students spent an hour in here,'' said Mrs.

Simmons. "This morning, the first and second years did community and educational tours. Things such as, for example, caving at Blue Hole, or they picked up trash, or went to the incinerator or to the aquarium. And while they did that, the third, fourth and fifth years were (at the workshops). "In the afternoon it was much less formal. On the field we had fire trucks and ambulances and representatives from funeral homes so (the younger students) could find out about that if they were interested while the older children were doing community service at the Pembroke Rest Home, the extended care unit, Agape House and places of that nature. "It was interesting, the older students tended to already know what they were interested in careerwise and would just go to that stall, the younger ones were more willing to try everything and find out about everything because they're still undecided about their career goals. We exposed them to (the fair) really just to open their minds to all that's out there. It was good and more interesting for them because they are still open to everything.'' Principal of the Berkeley Institute Michelle Gabisi, said she was impressed with the "overwhelming'' support the school received from the community. And she added that the students appreciated the exposure to the many career options open to them.

"We have various Government ministries present as well as representatives from numerous professions. This is the first time we have had a Career Fair, but it definitely won't be the last. And the children are really getting into it. They are asking questions and learning as much as they can.'' Jerome Martin credited the fair with prompting his interest in the Bermuda Electric Light Company and Universal Electric. "The fair is a good thing to have because it teaches you about professions,'' said the fourth year student. And Karima Saltus, also in her fourth year, said she hoped Berkeley would host another fair in 1998. "It's nice and interesting,'' she said. "I hope they have it next year to keep the students informed.'' Jarrod Zancanella explained that he hoped the fair would inform him about any requirements necessary for him to pursue a career as an engineer. "I hope to find out what it takes to be an engineer and what I'll have to do to get into that career,'' the third year student said. Pupils were not the only enthusiastic participants at the fair with career representatives at the various booths in the school's assembly hall also giving the event top marks. The Department of Tourism's Joycelyn Martin said the students appeared very interested in the tourism industry and asked challenging questions such as whether the new advertising campaign was a success. "A lot of them think of tourism in terms of hotels and taxis,'' she said. "I have spent a lot of time explaining to them that there is more to tourism then that.'' Added tourism director, Gary Phillips: "Our presence here is to heighten their understanding that no matter what area they pursue, it can be tied back to tourism.'' Mr. Phillips said students who completed their MBA could utilise their degree in the hospitality industry. "Hotels could use that expertise,'' he said. "They need people with all sorts of training for example accountants and engineers.'' P.c. John Lynch-Wade said in addition to exposing students to employment options in the Police service, the Career Fair offered him the opportunity to build a rapport with teenagers. "The interest is there, mostly from the younger ones. The older ones have already decided.'' PHOTO AIR TRAVEL -- Berkeley Institute students were also told of possible careers in the airline industry. HELLO DOLLY -- A job fair offered much information to Berkeley Institute students this month. EDUCATION MONTH ED