On BTL’s fourth annual Career Day, we had 36 youth participants and five presenters. To start the day off, Teen ACTION came early to help with the setup of the event, prepare a breakfast buffet and handle attendance. They helped transform the Lounge for the event.
Manashe Khaimov, Director of Bukharian Youth Services, and I spoke about the services that JCCA’s Bukharian Teen Lounge provides for teens and the community and how important it is for our youth to take advantage of these programs for their future. After introducing our guest speakers, the students broke up into their designated workshops.
During the 40-minute workshops, presenters were asked to speak about how they chose their path, e.g., the important events/people that helped them solidify their interests, their personal mission and typical daily activities, favorite parts of their work, and the challenges of combining family and career.
Presenters went into detail about their fields and educational requirements, and spoke about the kinds of qualities one must have in order to work in their area. Presenters included Naomi Krikhely, a JCCA social worker, who incorporated an interactive piece in her presentation, and Yuriy Payziyev, an Internal Revenue Agent at the U.S. Treasury Dept., who spoke about the importance of students’ “monetary comfort or happiness.”
After the workshops, all the students had a chance to ask questions and speak to the presenters. Later, five students related what they learned in each workshop. One said, “I thought it was a great experience and it helped me build bonds.” Another youth commented, “These people changed my thoughts about my career choice.”
The presenters were impressed by our youth. Rachel Muratova, an Assurance Associate at Price Waterhouse Cooper remarked, “I greatly value BTL’s efforts in making a difference to the youth of the area.”
We concluded the event with raffle prizes and Bukharian food.
We look forward to hosting more of these Career Fairs as they inspire our youth to go into fields that they might not have considered otherwise.”
Presenters:
Alex Babakhanov, Pharmacist, Medisurve Pharmacy
Naomi Krikhely, JCCA Social Worker
Rachel Muratova, Assurance Associate, Price Waterhouse and Cooper
Susanna Nektalova, Undewriter, AIG
Yuriy Payziyev, Internal Revenue Agent, U.S. Treasury Dept.